• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Abandonment
• Separations from mother or primary caretaker (physical and/or emotional)
• Neglect (including ineffective, inept and incompetent parenting)
• Inconsolable pain
• Number of moves (different placements)

• Superficially engaging and charming
• Lack of eye contact on parental terms
• Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers
• Not affectionate on parents' terms (not cuddly)
• Destructive to self, others and material things (accident prone)
• Cruel to animals
• Lying about the obvious (crazy lying)
• Stealing
• No impulse controls (frequently acts hyperactive)
• Learning lags
• Lack of cause and effect thinking
• Lack of conscience
• Abnormal eating patterns
• Poor peer relationships
• Preoccupation with blood and gore
• Persistent nonsense questions and incessant chatter
• Abnormal speech patterns

If causal factors may have been present in your child's early experiences and if many of these symptoms are occurring, a psychological assessment may be warranted.  The earlier attachment problems are identified and intervention begins, the better the current and long-term prognosis for your child's functioning.  Traditional parenting strategies and/or traditional psychotherapy are frequently ineffective in altering these dysfunctional patterns.  Attachment-based services may be the key to assisting your child and your family. 

Attachment Program Overview

Cheryl Walters, MS, Supervising/Consulting Psychologist - Treatment Protocol