Are you a foster parent who is concerned with your foster child’s behavior? Foster care is a vital support system for children who come from families with complicated situations, such as those involving parents struggling with substance abuse disorders. 

Quite often, family dynamics leave psychological impacts on children that may manifest in a variety of difficult behaviors. While all children misbehave and might have temper tantrums, sometimes foster kids’ actions may indicate an attachment disorder. Keep reading to learn more about this disorder, which may be the reason for your complicated relationship with your foster child.

What Is Normal Attachment?

Most of us are familiar with a happy and healthy relationship between parents and kids. The unknown world is open for exploration, and kids venture out to learn more about how it works. What gives them courage is the knowledge that they can always come back to their parents or caregivers, who will protect them and console them if anything bad happens. 

In psychology, this pattern is described in the following terms: parents act as a secure base and a safe haven for their children. 

What Is an Attachment Disorder?

In this type of relationship between children and parents or caregivers, kids do not rely on adults for support. For example, during a stressful situation, they wouldn’t seek help from their caregivers and might even avoid them.

Different Types of Attachment Disorders

There are three major types of attachment relationships: insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant, and disorganized and disoriented. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

Insecure-Avoidant Attachment

In this type of relationship, children seem to be indifferent to the presence of their caregivers and might not display any inclination to get closer or greet the caregiver when reuniting after separation.

Insecure-Resistant Attachment

Children seem preoccupied with their caregivers, yet they don’t find solace in the caregivers’ return following separation. They may initially approach the caregiver eagerly but then struggle to distance themselves, remaining upset and irritable.

Disorganized and Disoriented Attachment

Children with this form of attachment disorder don’t have a consistent response to stressful situations. Their emotions can shift rapidly from calm to anger. They might initiate an approach toward the caregiver and suddenly withdraw, or they might freeze due to apprehension. In certain instances, these children could even display fear toward the caregiver.

Causes and Recognizing the Signs

The most common reasons include inconsistent care, early abuse, neglect, and deprivation, which is why compassion is integral when dealing with an attachment disorder in a child. 

The behavioral problems associated with attachment disorders may be classified into several groups: regulatory problems, developmental problems, socio-emotional problems, sleep problems, eating problems, and toileting problems.

Regulatory Problems

Regulatory problems may manifest in various ways, including extreme withdrawal, agitation, constant activity, easy frustration, stereotyping, poor attention, loudness or shouting, and temper tantrums.

Developmental Problems

Signs of developmental problems may include very poor speech/language skills, delays in fine and gross motor abilities, mild to significant cognitive delays, and the presence of autistic features that could endure over time.

Socio-Emotional Problems

Have you noticed any of the following behaviors in your foster child? 

• Aggression
• Continuation of indiscriminate behavior
• Challenges in developing attachment without adult assistance

These could be socio-emotional problems associated with attachment disorders.

Sleep Problems

Children might experience frequent nightmares.

Eating Problems

Eating problems could include overeating or stuffing, struggling with complex textures, and displaying pronounced food preferences.

Toileting Problems

Refusal to use the toilet could also indicate an attachment disorder.

Negative Consequences of Attachment Disorders

Research into attachment disorders has revealed significant consequences for brain development and overall learning outcomes. Understanding these effects is crucial for creating effective interventions and support systems for children who face attachment challenges. 

Impact on Brain Structure

Studies have shown the profound influence of early maternal support on brain development. Early nurturing is integral to promoting the development of the hippocampus, a brain structure that is crucial for memory and learning.

Lessons from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project

This project followed a group of children who had experienced early institutionalization or orphanhood. The results showed that children in institutions exhibited considerably diminished intellectual performance compared to those raised in their original families. Children placed in foster care showed notable cognitive improvements, with younger placements correlating with better outcomes. These findings suggest a potentially sensitive period for influencing cognitive development and learning in children who have experienced early deprivation.

Unanswered Questions and Promising Avenues

While research underscores the effects of attachment disorders on brain development and learning, questions linger regarding the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions. Factors influencing change, both within the child and their environment, remain complex and varied. Efforts to mitigate the consequences of attachment disorders demand a nuanced understanding of these factors.

In the next section, we will delve deeper into strategies and insights to address attachment disorders. These treatment options range from professional therapies to simple adjustments to the foster child’s daily routine that may prove helpful.

Treatments for Attachment Disorders

Research shows that sensitive caregiver behaviors and working with multiple systems for children who are placed in foster care can be effective. To treat attachment disorders, it’s highly important to create an environment that is secure and consistent, aiding the child in managing their emotions, effectively addressing moments of distress, and paying close attention to the child’s cues, especially those that might have emerged due to disrupted attachment experiences with their biological caregivers.

Holistic Approach to Intervention

When it comes to treating an attachment disorder, professional intervention may be required. Let’s take a closer look at different types of therapies, and what problems associated with attachment disorders they may be helpful in solving.

• Occupational Therapy: This is essential for addressing sensory processing challenges, daily living tasks, educational tasks, and proprioceptive skills that might be affected due to attachment-related issues.
• Physical Therapy: Facilitating fine and gross motor skill development is often a key component in helping children overcome challenges stemming from attachment disruptions.
• Speech and Language Therapy: Addressing general delays in speech and language development is crucial for effective communication and emotional expression.
• Therapeutic Preschool and Social Skills Groups: These interventions focus on fostering social skills, emotional regulation, and a sense of belonging within a peer group.
• Special Education and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA): Tailored educational support and ABA services are often necessary to address overall delays and specific behavioral challenges.
• Psychological/Psychoeducational Evaluation: These evaluations guide treatment and educational planning, helping to meet the child’s developmental needs effectively.
• Trauma-Specific Therapy: If a child is exhibiting significant signs of trauma, trauma-specific therapy is recommended to address these underlying issues.
• Medical/Genetic Screening and Subsequent Treatment: Sometimes, attachment disorders may stem from undiagnosed and untreated medical conditions that should be addressed for children’s overall well-being.

Embracing Healthy Activities

Beyond professional interventions, children benefit immensely from engaging in activities that boost their self-esteem and sense of community. Encouraging a child’s exploration of their talents and interests can significantly contribute to their emotional growth and healing.

Sports, both formal and informal, foster physical well-being and teamwork. Music, whether through lessons or family sing-alongs, nurtures creativity and self-expression. Clubs and group activities provide opportunities for social interaction and skill development. Art, in both structured lessons and unstructured creative time, enhances cognitive development and emotional expression. Engaging in community service helps children develop empathy and a sense of purpose. Cultivating personal interests, from horseback riding to cooking, instills confidence and a sense of accomplishment in children.

Positive emotions are key to helping children overcome attachment disorders.

Techniques to Avoid

When it comes to attachment therapy, it’s crucial to adopt methods that prioritize the well-being and emotional growth of children. There are certain practices that are discouraged due to their potential harm and lack of proven benefits. In this section, we’ll explore techniques that should be avoided in attachment therapy, along with clarifications on what methods are deemed reasonable and responsible.

• Physical Coercion and Restraint: Approaches involving physical coercion, enforced holding, or physical dominance must be avoided. 
• Provoking Catharsis and Humiliation: Practices that intentionally provoke intense emotional catharsis or humiliation must not be employed. 
• Prolonged Social Isolation: Keeping a child in prolonged social isolation must not be part of attachment therapy.
• Excessive Control and Domination: Exaggerated levels of control and dominance over a child undermine healthy relationships and hinder genuine attachment development.
• Negative Labels: Intervention models that negatively label children, portraying them as manipulative or deceitful, are prohibited in attachment therapy.
• Unfounded Predictions: Professionals must avoid making unfounded predictions about a child’s future based on early behavior. These predictions can lead to overreactions and harsh treatment, creating an atmosphere that doesn’t promote positive therapeutic outcomes.

If you suspect that your foster child may have an attachment disorder, help and resources are available for you. At Clarvida, we strive to support foster parents at every step of their foster-care journey. That’s the reason why we offer home-based, intensive counseling services through comprehensive child and family treatment. Contact us today for a consultation.