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This book presents a short introduction to what 'attachment' means and how to recognise attachment disorders in children. The author explains how complex problems in childhood may stem from the parent-child relationship during a child's early formative years, and later from the child's engagement with the broader social world.

A Short Introduction. Prologue: A Tale of Three Mice. Chapter 1. Understanding Attachment. What is Attachment? What are the origins of attachment? What is the Role of Attachment? How does Attachment Develop? What does Attachment look like? What Different Types of Attachment Exist? How does Caregiving Impact on Attachment? Accessibility and Responsiveness. Affective Attunement. Chapter Summary. Matthew's Story. Chapter 2. Understanding Attachment Disorder. What is Attachment Disorder? What are Attachment Representations? What is the Contribution of Arousal and Overarousal? What is the Significance of Parental Accessibility? How do I Know if a Child has an Attachment Disorder? What does Attachment Disorder look like? Chapter Summary. Matthew's Story Continued. Chapter 3. Parenting the Attachment Disordered Child. The Importance of Promoting Strong and Secure Attachment Relationships. First Principles. Addressing Accessibility Concerns. Changing Attachment Representations. Managing Arousal. Putting It All Together. Additional Considerations. Chapter Summary. Matthew's Story Continued. Chapter 4. Treating the Attachment Disordered Child - What to Expect. What constitutes effective treatment? A strengths perspective. Caregiver participation. Some secrets of how attachment disordered children are engaged in psychotherapy. Chapter Summary. Matthew's Story Continued. Postscript: Eyes are Mirrors for a Child's Soul. Glossary of Terms.

A short and accessible introduction to what 'attachment' means and how to recognise attachment disorders in children

Colby Pearce is Principal Psychologist at Secure Start, a private psychology practice based in Adelaide that provides assessment and psychotherapy services in the areas of child protection, inter-country adoption, refugees and community child and family psychology. He has extensive experience in the teaching and training of psychologists and other professionals particularly in relation to insecure and attachment disordered children.