Attachment Disorder Site - providing hope and support.

"Believe, when you are most unhappy,
that there is something for you to do in
this world. So long as you can sweeten
another's pain, life is not in vain."

Parents of children with an attachment disorder have a very hard task to accomplish. To bring a child out of this serious illness and guide them into a world of love is a great responsibility. Although it is difficult, in many cases, it is possible with the right help.

There is no quick fix for attachment disorder. It takes a long time for the child to heal. I know this is hard to hear - it was for me. I wanted things better yesterday! It takes strength and perseverance to bring the child to healing. For success you must be willing to work harder on helping your child than you probably will work on anything else in your life. The pay off is the rebirth of your child - nothing can compare to that.

Parents should not work against each other and allow the child to triangulate them. It is essential that both parents be on the same team when guiding their child toward healing.

The type of parenting that often works with these most difficult of children is the type that takes them back to redo those early years of love and bonding that they missed. This time around, their needs will be met. At the same time, they must learn to accept limits as they should have in the beginning of their lives. This time they will learn to accept a loving parents limits.

There are several books and videos you can purchase and study to help you with the parenting part of the healing process. Please realize that therapeutic parenting is an essential part of this process and the parents must become educated and highly motivated to effect positive change.

A therapist who specializes in attachment and bonding problems is also a vital part of the treatment team but parents must be willing to work with the therapist.

A good therapist will guide you through the parenting and be able to answer your questions and help you strategize your day to day living. Parents cannot rely on the therapist to heal their child. It is a team effort and often mom is the biggest catalyst for positive change.

I believe that it is necessary to research all the different approaches used to parent these exceptional children.

Nancy Thomas has a lot of info, great books and videos
made precisely for parenting a child with attachment disorder
Nancy Thomas Parenting

Deborah Hage also has great website
with informative articles, books, and more
Deborah Hage

Foster Cline and Jim Fay offer a
wonderful parenting program called
Love and Logic

Daniel Hughes has two good books
out that describe therapeutic parenting.
You can learn about books and learn where to
purchase them through his website at
Daniel Hughes

Theraplay figured into our son's healing
process. It was useful for the nurturing
part of the therapeutic parenting.
It helped to recreate the playfulness
that was needed to build a stronger bond.
The Theraplay Institute

The children often suffer from Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Parents often suffer from Depression, Secondary PTSD and the grief that comes with the death of their dream child and family. It is important for you to know the signs of both. Here are some links to help.

I found a little brush up on child development helped me better understand the importance of what my son missed.

Any information on the Attachment Disorder Site does not replace professional advice. This site is my attempt to pass on my knowledge from reading and learning everything I could find on this issue so that I could help our son and maybe help others who are walking this same path.

The resources on this entire site are provided for your personal perusal. I have no way to guarantee the accuracy or appropriateness of any information or advice for a particular situation. Nothing on the Attachment Disorder Site constitutes medical, legal or other professional advice and I assume no liability or responsibility for any diagnosis, treatment, decision made, or action taken in reliance upon information contained on these sites including any sites linked to it or your use of the Internet.