Autism and attachment difficulties: Overlap of symptoms, implications and innovative solutions

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Rebecca McKenzie, Rudi Dallos

Abstract

This article explores overlap of symptoms between autism and attachment difficulties and suggests innovative solutions based on formulation. Currently, clinicians express difficulties in differentiating between these conditions contributing to misdiagnosis. Research into the prevalence of attachment difficulties among children with autism often fails to reflect detailed knowledge of attachment theory. Consequently, studies in this area employ questionable modifications to attachment measures and methods of analysis. The findings of such studies are confusing and inconsistent. Children with autism and their parents are, however, known to be at high risk of developing insecure attachment patterns. Clinical assessments based on formulation may be helpful in these cases, as they include consideration of developmental and relational factors contributing to symptom presentation. Research suggests that where parents of children with autism establish secure relationships with their children outcomes are improved. Consequently, interventions, which improve dyadic synchrony and sensitivity of parents, are likely to benefit families living with autism and attachment difficulties.

References

Oct 1, 1996·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·A Le CouteurM Rutter
Aug 26, 1998·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·A A Bieberich, S B Morgan
Jun 5, 1999·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·M RutterT G O'Connor
Oct 20, 2000·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·S H Willemsen-SwinkelsH van Engeland
Jun 13, 2002·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Michael Siller, Marian Sigman
Jul 20, 2004·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Anna H RutgersIna A van Berckelaer-Onnes
Jul 21, 2004·Child Development·Marinus H van IJzendoornJ Marianne Riksen-Walraven
Sep 17, 2005·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·René HoksbergenFelicia Stoutjesdijk
Nov 17, 2005·Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice·Sally OzonoffRebecca Landa
Aug 10, 2006·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Susan Siklos, Kimberly A Kerns
Aug 10, 2006·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Avril V BreretonStewart L Einfeld
Dec 13, 2006·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Fabiënne B A NaberHerman van Engeland
Mar 14, 2007·Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice·Anna H RutgersSophie H N Swinkels
Jul 9, 2008·Developmental Psychology·Yael Shmueli-GoetzAdrian Datta
Feb 12, 2009·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Nina Koren-KarieNurit Yirmiya
Mar 21, 2009·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Michael RutterEdmund Sonuga-Barke
Apr 11, 2009·Autism Research : Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research·Carla A MazefskyJanet E Lainhart
Jun 13, 2009·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Ted HutmanMarian Sigman
Feb 5, 2010·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Jason K BakerCaroline J Grantz
May 6, 2010·Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology·Lynn SeskinAnastasia Yasik
Mar 7, 2012·European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·Fareeha Amber SadiqHelen Minnis
Dec 12, 2012·Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice·Rebecca L GrzadzinskiCatherine Lord
May 4, 2013·Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders·Noah J SassonJoseph Piven
Nov 26, 2013·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Victoria HallettFrancesca Happé
May 24, 2014·Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders·Andrea L RobertsMarc G Weisskopf
Jul 15, 2015·Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry·Patricia McKinsey Crittenden
Jan 8, 2016·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Jonathan GreenKishan Sharma
Feb 7, 2016·Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice·Helen PeckettJacky Knibbs

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 6, 2019·Developmental Child Welfare·Barry CoughlanRobbie Duschinsky
Nov 21, 2019·Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities : JARID·Samantha J TeagueUNKNOWN MHYPEDD Team
Oct 10, 2020·Pediatric Annals·Rachel Ballard, Marisa Perez-Reisler
Jan 26, 2021·Autism Research : Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research·Christine TanAlexandra Ure

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Autism

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues. Here is the latest research on autism.

Related Papers

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
E D HendersonW R Kiser
Sydsvenska medicinhistoriska sällskapets årsskrift
A E Imhof
Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics
C C Whiting
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved