Attachment Disorder - October, 2017

Attachment Disorder 

 I have not attended many trainings, and I know there isn’t much training out there. And what’s current? The list of behaviors probably doesn’t change much. What is the connection with ACES - Adverse Childhood Experiences.

 I went to a luncheon with a man who was a nationally respected doctor who helped organize, sponsor, collect data from studies. The conclusion was that HOPE - positive experiences can help overcome some of the negative. A perfect example is a little girl who was in a bombing in Syria - she has been exposed to horrific ACEs. But if she is surrounded by loving family, has been transferred to a safe environment, has a positive experience in the refugee camp, then her ACEs will not have as much negative affect on her adult life, including illnesses, etc. The talk did not focus on attachment, behaviors, etc. There were many CASA workers there, and a CASA worker’s job is to work with foster kids and make sure their case gets the attention it needs.

Address and Email are NOT current:  appell4@gmail.com

Some frustrations that I had: the topic or research did not seem to include individual differences - personality traits, coping styles, sensitivity factors, mental health, resilience, among a few. The kids we often work with are not open to positive factors HOPE - this is a major part of the problem. Families and agencies that I have worked with are always focused on giving the child positive things, but the child does not perceive it, or allow it.

Attachment Disorder

 So much is being written re: ACEs now, and schools, and trauma. So, I’m trying to see how any of it fits together. I have done training for schools, including Early Childhood, re: kids who show attachment disorder. There is a distinct difference between kids who still live in birth families, and kids who are in adoptive homes re: what the school can do. Also, often different behavior traits. I will be attending another training Friday by a regional CASA - we shall see. Perhaps I will again pursue doing more  trainings to get the word out there. I heard that NAMI does not do a lot with Attachment Disorder either. So, again, the concern is that parents are being abandanoned with children with these behaviors.