What is described about an infant at one month old in Mahler's Object Relations Theory?

In Mahler's Object Relations Theory, the concept of "normal autism" refers to the state of an infant in the early part of their development, approximately from birth to about two months of age. During this phase, the infant is largely focused on their own internal needs and experiences, displaying minimal awareness of their outside environment. The infant is considered to be in a state of self-regulation, where they are not yet engaged in interactions with others or aware of the mother as a separate being. This self-centered existence fosters the development of the infant's early sense of being but does not extend to recognizing external stimuli or relationships.

As the infant matures beyond this stage, they will begin to engage more actively with their surroundings and with caregivers, transitioning into later phases of development characterized by social connectedness and the recognition of others as distinct individuals. However, at the age of one month, the primary characteristic is this normal autism, where the focus is on survival, comfort, and basic needs rather than interaction with the external world.