Attachment Disorder
How does this affect our young people?
How do we support young people affected by this?
What is attachment?
• Attachment is a close emotional bond between two people
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
2
Bonding…
( a secure attachment)
• Is made when a baby or child feels safe; they can rely on their caregiver for comfort
whenever they feel frightened, threatened or in danger.
• Is made when a caregiver provides a reliable foundation for the child as it learns and
figures out things on its own.
• Is made when the child becomes upset or unhappy when the caregiver leaves,
but separates easily.
• Is made when the emotional and physical needs of the child are met by the caregiver.
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
3
Still face experiment
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btg9PiT0sZg
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
4
What prevents attachment?
Which groups of young people
will experience attachment
issues?
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
5
Attachment Disorder
• Attachment Disorder is defined as the condition in
which individuals have difficulty forming lasting
relationships. They often show nearly a complete
lack of ability to be genuinely affectionate with
others. They typically fail to develop a conscience
and do not learn to trust. They do not allow people
to be in control of them due to this trust issue. This
damage is done by being abused or physically or
emotionally separated from one primary caregiver
during the first 3 years of life.
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
6
Signs and symptoms of
attachment disorder
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Detached
Unresponsive or resistant to comforting
Withdrawn
Avoidant
Shuns relationships with everyone
Inappropriately familiar
Attention seeking from anyone
Displays inappropriate childish behaviour
Frequently asks for help doing things
Violates social boundaries
Challenging, manipulative behaviour
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
7
Effects of attachment
disorder.
Poor self-esteem
Delayed physical growth or learning
Challenging behaviour leading to exclusions
Substance and alcohol addiction
Depression and anxiety
Temper or anger problems
Eating problems
Relationship problems
Inappropriate sexual behaviours
Unemployment or frequent job changes
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
8
My boys… Kieran
Kieran is one of the kindest, sweetest boys you could ever
meet… when you get to know him and he trusts you that is.
His mum died when he was three, he now lives with his
dad and grandma. Before she died, she was very ill and
had to spend a lot of time in bed. Kieran was
looked after by dad.
At school Kieran has low self-esteem and needs lots of adult
help. He never touches or hugs me and finds praise very
difficult to accept. He doesn’t ever believe in himself. He
rarely talks about his dad, but if he does he is very negative.
He rarely smiles and has the weight of the world on his
shoulders. He is often withdrawn and becomes anxious
when there is a holiday approaching. He is sad.
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
9
Thomas
Thomas is being fostered. He was removed from his
parents because of their drug taking and neglect.
At first, Thomas was fine, he enjoyed the regular food
and warmth his new carers gave him.
Now, the ‘Honeymoon’ period is over. Thomas misses
his mum and dad a lot. His mum was caring and kind to
him, but she just couldn’t parent him well enough.
Thomas doesn’t understand this, he thought everything
was fine.
Thomas has learning difficulties, he is emotionally
immature, has no resilience, gives up easily when things
get tough, makes unbalanced friendships and gets very
frustrated and angry. He is difficult and unpredictable to
manage in school. He is sad.
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
10
How can we help?
Recognise that each young person presents in a different way
depending on their temperament, developmental age,
learning style and belief system.
• Recognise that the young person may have faulty beliefs
about themselves.
• Provide a key worker to build a bond of trust with the young
person.
• Provide consistent boundaries and approaches to discipline.
• Remember that the young person has an emotional age of a
toddler.
• Be explicit and clear about your good intentions.
• Aim to reduce anxiety.
• Remember – this is not about YOU!
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
11
Useful signposts
• Kate Cairns Associates www.katecairns.com
• www.attachment.org/reactive-attachment-disorder
• http://socialwork.msu.edu/koehler/docs/Symptom.
pdf
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
12
Attachment Disorder
•Superficially engaging & charming
•Lack of eye contact on parents’ terms
•Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers
•Not affectionate on parents’ terms (not ‘cuddly’)
•Destructive to self, others and material things
(‘accident prone’)
• Anger and impulsivity
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
13
A word of caution about pupils
with attachment disorders
• Pupils with AD require a different approach e.g. not
given time out as the pupils may need to know that
the teacher is a constant in their lives, when they
have to leave give child with an object that belongs
to the them.
• Seek psychologist advice.
• The analysis used in this course needs to bear this
in mind they have difficulty trusting adults and
push them away.
• However triggers are important, and learnt
behaviour can be unlearned
FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1
14