understanding child-parent attachment in children with special needs
DESCRIPTION
Understanding Child-Parent Attachment in Children with Special Needs with Michelle from http://HappyPaleoKids.com - Children with disabilities, special needs (including Autism, Downs Syndrome, CP, epilepsy etc.), and developmental delays are more likely to have an Insecure attachment to their caregivers than typically developing children. Learn: 1. What attachment is? 2. What attachment behavior looks like? 3. What we know about attachment in children with special needs. 4. What you can do to aid your relationship with your childTRANSCRIPT
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!