attachment disorder how does this affect our young people? how do we support young people affected...

Attachment Disorder

How does this affect our young people?How do we support young people affected by this?

FWTSA Behaviour Course Session 1 2

What is attachment?• Attachment is a close emotional bond between two people


Bonding… ( a secure attachment)

• Is made when a baby or child feels safe; they can rely on their caregiver for comfortwhenever they feel frightened, threatened or in danger.

• Is made when a caregiver provides a reliable foundation for the child as it learns andfigures 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.


Still face experiment• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btg9PiT0sZg


What prevents attachment?

Which groups of young people will experience attachment issues?


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.


Signs and symptoms of attachment disorder• Detached• Unresponsive or resistant to comforting• Withdrawn• Avoidant• Shuns relationships with everyone• Inappropriately familiar • Attention seeking from anyone• Displays inappropriate childish behaviour• Frequently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


Effects of attachment disorder.

Poor self-esteem

Delayed physical growth or learning

Challenging behaviour leading to exclusions

Temper or anger problems

Relationship problems Eating problems

Depression and anxietySubstance and alcohol addiction

Unemployment or frequent job changesInappropriate sexual behaviours


My boys… KieranKieran is one of the kindest, sweetest boys you could evermeet… when you get to know him and he trusts you that is.His mum died when he was three, he now lives with hisdad 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 adulthelp. He never touches or hugs me and finds praise verydifficult 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.


ThomasThomas 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.


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!


Useful signposts• Kate Cairns Associates www.katecairns.com• www.attachment.org/reactive-attachment-disorder

• http://socialwork.msu.edu/koehler/docs/Symptom.pdf

http://www.katecairns.com/

http://www.attachment.org/reactive-attachment-disorder

http://socialwork.msu.edu/koehler/docs/Symptom.pdf

http://socialwork.msu.edu/koehler/docs/Symptom.pdf


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


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

attachment disorder how does this affect our young people? how do we support young people affected...

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