Attachment

https://www.attachmentproject.com/

Discover how early childhood experiences with your parents impacts your ability to develop relationships as an adult,

and how you may help your child[ren] develop

secure attachment with others.

Why we need to treat
attachment disorders

Healing unresolved childhood trauma

enables the formation of healthy,

loving relationships.

What is Secure Attachment?

The secure attachment style is the most common type of attachment in western society.
Research suggests that around 66% of the US population is securely attached.
People who have developed this type of attachment are self-contented, social, warm, and seem to be able to easily form healthy connections with others.

They are aware of and able to express their feelings.

They also tend to build deep, meaningful,

and long-lasting relationships.

Adults with secure attachment are generally well-liked in the workplace.
Parents who want to raise securely attached children might benefit from researching the topic and resolving their own attachment issues, if such exist.

What causes insecure attachment?

Insecure attachment styles are often caused by misattuned parenting, childhood trauma, or abuse.

This could have a strong negative impact on

the individual’s mental health, social behavior,

and ability to build stable and long-lasting

intimate relationships in adulthood.

It is essential to note that there is no such thing

as a perfect parent.

Our caregivers most probably made mistakes raising us,

and we ourselves (will) sometimes screw up as parents.

That does not necessarily mean that we have attachment issues, or that we will raise a child with such.

Please keep in mind that about two-thirds of children

develop a secure attachment style.

What is Reactive Attachment Disorder [RAD]?

Prevention at a Community Level

Supporting at-risk families may help to prevent

RAD development.

Parenting support classes may offer education for parents

and caregivers to learn about attachment disorders

as well as other parenting supports.

The infographic to the left may provide parents and caregivers with more information about parenting for

children at risk of developing RAD.

Prevention is important – although reactive

attachment disorder does not affect all children

in foster care and is considered quite rare,

early detection will help these children

from developing the condition.

Educators would benefit from learning about RAD, as

they could potentially be the first professionals to

encounter a child after the traumatic experience

of disrupted attachment through foster care

placement or parental neglect.

These groups of students are already at risk of maladjustment. Paying close attention to their well-being may help with early detection of RAD symptoms or at the very least identify students who need extra assistance adjusting

to their new lives.

School age children who exhibit the following risk factors

and show signs of RAD may benefit from referal to a

Child Advocacy Center facility, pediatrician, or

pediatric therapist trained in recognizing

trauma-based attachment issues for early

detection to prevent RAD manifestation:

If a student has moved multiple times or had multiple placements (e.g. foster care, adoptions, kinship placements)
Frequent bruising, marks or other signs of physical abuse
Isolation and lack of engagement of peers
May seek comfort and attention from virtually anyone, without distinction

For educators, raising awareness about RAD and other mental illnesses can help to remove stigma associated with mental health issues and foster a more inclusive environment.