According to DSM-5, reactive attachment disorder emphasizes that children's basic emotional needs are constantly inadequately met by caregivers, and that it occurs as a result of social neglect or deprivation. This condition, which prevents secure attachment and the establishment of a healthy relationship between primary caregivers, mothers and fathers, and children, can last a lifetime if left untreated and cause serious problems for individuals in daily life.
This disorder clearly manifests itself before the age of five. interest. When we look at the basis of the disorder, we need to examine this situation in more detail since we are talking about an attachment problem. Attachment is a process that is founded in the first years of development by the child and the parents who care for him/her by touching, looking eye to eye, hugging, calling with loving words, and it is a situation that nourishes the brain. If you look at all this, you can see the existence of the sensory system in broad daylight. Attachment to parents is one of the basic human needs, and insecure attachment is inevitable in those who experience this attachment negatively in the early period. Secure attachment has profound effects on human development. In reactive attachment, it can be said that since a deep and permanent bond cannot be established, it may lead to serious consequences if treatment is not started.
There are many reasons for reactive attachment disorder. There may be many reasons for neglect. However, as an occupational therapist, if I were to share with you the reasons I mostly encounter in the clinical environment; I can give reasons such as being left alone,
When the presence of these reasons makes you think, your child may:
- Avoidance or unwillingness to make eye contact,
- Inability to communicate healthy and safely with peers,
- When asked to communicate with him or her. inability to communicate, being abstaining,
- Not knowing how to play, not being interested in toys and not playing
- Being too inclined to lie or being too active
Symptoms such as It won't take you long to do it either. When you notice these symptoms and consult a specialist, the processes related to treatment will make you think. You should not forget that the most important and indispensable part of the treatment is about improving the relationships between the child and the mother and father and making them healthy. Sensory integration and attachment relationship are directly proportional to each other. Attachment problems can also cause sensory problems as they can create differences in children's perception of the outside world. With a sensory play and therapy program prepared in accordance with the child's wishes and needs, it will be an important goal to introduce games in which the mother and father are involved and to eliminate the child's perception of loneliness. After the necessary evaluations are made by the occupational therapist, the question of how we should include the family in this area, regardless of the child's limits, should be investigated. In order to lay down the foundations of secure attachment more effectively, psychologist support will be very necessary in this process and the exchange of ideas is extremely important.
During the treatment, the child should be prevented from playing alone for long hours and as much as possible, place the child in more social environments. If necessary, support should be provided for the child to go to kindergarten or nursery.
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