ABSTRACT
This chapter explores possible associations among trauma and the presence and quality of attachment relationships between young children and their caregivers. It presents attachment theory and attachment classifications in children and adults. The chapter provides an overview of reactive attachment disorder (RAD). There are few longitudinal studies of the signs and symptoms of RAD. Adequate assessment of RAD require a multi method evaluation approach. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry released practice parameters for RAD in 2005. The aforementioned assessment guidelines for RAD are used with children between the ages of 9 months and 6 years of age; 9 months is the point at which infants are developmentally capable of having formed a focused attachment. The observational portion of assessment should provide opportunities to see the child's interaction with each caregiver and with unfamiliar adults. Particular attention is paid to the presence or absence of expected attachment behaviors, as well as to the presence of characteristic symptoms.
