Addressing the Complex Needs of Students with Attachment Disorders

Attachment disorders are a relatively rare condition affecting children. This is particularly true for those who are adopted or living in foster care, and are thought to be attributed to an interruption in the bonding between a child and his or her caregiver. Attachment disorders are divided into two distinct categories: a predominately withdrawn type (i.e., Reactive Attachment Disorder) and a predominately disinhibited type (i.e., Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder). This column provides an overview of the characteristics in the two types of attachment disorders and offers suggestions for educational programming.