Children with disrupted attachment

Streaming video - 2015

"When a child has a poor attachment to their parent, it leads to all kinds of problems, because they have not learned how to regulate their emotions, they have not learned self-control, they have not learned self-reliance in a positive way. So all these problems come out in every other relationship in their life."́ Alexandra Cook, PhD. A secure attachment system forms the foundation for a child's development. The often devastating impact of attachment disorder on children's sense of self, and on their capacity to form attachments with new caregivers, can pose major challenges for foster and adoptive parents, as well as for therapists and group home staff. In this four-video series, the presenters describe the impact of ...attachment disorder on the ways that children see themselves and interact with others, and how adults can respond most effectively. They explore such topics as setting limits, avoiding power struggles, providing structure, and building a trusting relationship. Their observations are reinforced by the accounts of foster and adoptive parents, group home staff, and former foster children. The presenters emphasize the importance of understanding what drives children's behaviors, rather than simply reacting to them, and provide concrete suggestions for containing negative behaviors and improving adult-child interactions. more