Attachment Theory and Intervention

This course is designed to consider the models of attachment theory starting with Bowlby, Lorenz and Ainsworth and then progressing to the ABC model. Participants will consider how young people experience attachment issues and how these impact upon them as children and through their adult life.

Specific consideration to the topic of Attachment and Biobehavioural Catch-up (ABC) targeting several key issues that have been identified as problematic among children who have experienced early maltreatment and/or disruptions in care. These young children often behave in ways that push caregivers away resulting in avoidant behaviour and a ‘push/pull’ relationship. Child behaves in ways that push caregiver away: The caregiver is helped to override tendencies to respond “in kind” and to provide nurturance regardless. The first intervention component helps caregivers to re-interpret children's behavioural signals so that they provide nurturance even when it is not elicited. Nurturance does not come naturally to many caregivers, but children who have experienced early adversity especially need nurturing care.

Second, many children who have experienced early adversity struggle both behaviourally and biologically. The second intervention component helps caregivers provide a responsive, predictable, warm environment that enhances young children's behavioural and regulatory capabilities. The intervention helps caregivers follow their children’s lead in a positive and interactive manner.

The third intervention component helps caregivers decrease behaviours that could be overwhelming or frightening to a young child. It is important to understand the behavioural models which help promote positive outcomes and reduce the Cycle of Dysfunction. Caregiver is helped to provide environment that helps child develop regulatory capabilities. This includes introductions of Social Pedagogy, risk management and positive boundary setting. The relationship adults build with children needs to be based in mutuality, warmth and security and the course shares models based in research to help care givers critically reflect on their role and how to form a critical relationship.

Caregiver is helped to decrease behaviours that may be frightening or overwhelming to the child, and this course explores the types of mental health issues caused by abuse and neglect. Understanding why children respond in such a manner when they are not in their ‘comfort zone’ allows adults to not take issuers personally and work towards improved outcomes.

This course will provide an overview of the ABC model and incorporate it with other person centred models to provide attendees with a broad range of tools to assists in care giving.