MIC HELLE F ITZ PATRIC K, MA , C IMIIN FANT MEN TAL HEALTH S PEC IALIS T

MAY 7 , 2014

W ITH:

Understanding Parent-Child Attachment

In Children with Special Needs

Parents Helping Parents, Santa Clara County

HappyPaleoKids.com

Special Topics in Early Childhood Development Series

About Me - Michelle

Education BA, Mills College, Psychology MA, Mills College, Infant Mental Health

Work History Infant Developmental Specialist, Baby Builders, Oakland Early Start Service Coordinator, SARC, Campbell Mental Health Counselor, Pre-to-Three, San Mateo County …more!

Currently Stay at home mom (Annie, 4; Rosie, 2; Elizabeth, 1) Blog: happypaleokids.com, applying child development

knowledge with practical nutritional advice for families

What is Attachment?

Children form relationships with people “stronger and wiser” in their environment in order to be protected

Children use their caregivers as a Secure Base/ Safe Haven from which to explore

Ainsworth, et. Al (1978); Bowlby (1969/1982)

What is Attachment?

Cooper, Hoffman, Marvin, & Powell (1998); circleofsecurity.org

What is Attachment?

Overtime, they develop mental representations of those relationships based on experiences

o Will my caregiver protect me?

o What is the best way to receive protection

o Is my caregiver reliable?

o Is the world a safe place?

o Do I deserve protection?

They use those mental representations to make predictions about future interactions, as well as about the world in general

Ainsworth, et. Al (1978); Bowlby (1969/1982)

What is Attachment?

Ainsworth, et. Al (1978)

Attachment ~ A Buffer For Development

Attachment relationship serves as a buffer factor against developmental risk Decreased mental health/ psychopathology in

adolescence and adulthood Improved social skills during preschool, school-age,

and beyond Greater self-esteem, independence, and cooperation Higher cognitive scores Greater language and communication skills Emotion regulation Increased Positive behavior and Compliance Positive affect (mood) Improved play/symbolic play in the preschool years

Thomson, R.A. (2010)

Attachment & Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs form attachments to caregivers

Physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, psychological disorders, and developmental delays complicate the parent-child relationship

Children with disabilities are more likely to have Insecure/Disorganized attachment than typically developing

Howe, D. (2006); Schuengel, C., & Janssen, C.G.C. (2006)

Attachment & Children with Special Needs

Child Factors:• Decreased

communication/ understanding

• Inability to interpret social cues

• Less feedback to caregivers

• Needs are difficult to interpret

Parent Factors:• Increased stress

(financial, increased caregiving, parenting stress)

• Parent’s own Attachment Defenses

• Understanding/ “resolving” child’s diagnosis

Examples

“After the age of 2 years, hearing

parents of deaf children appear to

show decreased levels of

interaction compared with hearing

parents of hearing children whose

levels of interaction increase

(Gregory, 1976), and what

interaction there is tends to become

a little more difficult, frustrated,

and punitive (Meadow, 1980).”

Howe, D. (2006), p. 98

Examples

“It has also been observed that children with Downs Syndrome use

fewer internal state words, i.e. they are less likely to report on what

they think, feel, believe or remember.” Over time, “their mother’s

also begin to use fewer internal state words in conversation with

their children (Beeghly & Cicchetti, 1997). The effect of this is that

less information is being shared between parents and children

about… thoughts and feelings.”

Howe, D. (2006), p. 98

Examples

Children with autism lack the

ability to understand other

peoples’ states of mind.

“This produces major problems

in achieving joint attention,

social relationships, and

communication, particularly for

parents.”

Howe, D. (2006), p. 100

What does this mean???

Learn about your child’s diagnosis, disability or delay to understand what their individual attachment “cues” look like From professionals – NOT

just the internetFind ways to decrease

stress Exercise, meditation, social

activities, sleep, hobbiesSocial support, social

support, social support!!Howe, D. (2006); Schuengel, C., & Janssen, C.G.C. (2006)

What does this mean???

“Resolve” your own attachment issues, which you bring to your relationship with your child Parenting from the Inside

Out by Daniel SiegelTalk with a

therapist/counselor (even if you don’t think you need to)

Howe, D. (2006); Schuengel, C., & Janssen, C.G.C. (2006)

What does this mean???

Circle of Security counseling group/ parent educators (circleofsecurity.org “parents”)

ALWAYS: Be BIGGER, STRONGER, WISER, and KIND

WHENEVER POSSIBLE: follow my child’s need

WHENEVER NECESSARY: take charge

Cooper, Hoffman, Marvin, & Powell (1998); circleofsecurity.org

QUESTIONS??

SPECIAL THANKS TO PHP AND DENNY DE HARNE

THANK YOU!