Austism and Infant Attachment: A Review of the Literature
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Date
2006
Type of Work
Department
Psychology
Program
Bachelor's Degree
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Collection may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. To obtain information or permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Goucher Special Collections & Archives at 410-337-6347 or email archives@goucher.edu.
Abstract
While the research is in its beginnings, a diagnosis of autism does not necessarily equate
with an attachment-less life. Considering the possible adverse reaction of the parent, the
prevalence of symptoms that contribute to a lack of emotional reciprocity, and neurological
malfunctioning in areas critical in relationship formation it seems hopeless for a parent to attempt
to form a secure attachment with their autistic child. Yet, as Stephen Bohay demonstrates, a
parent should not desert their dreams of eventually forming a close, happy relationship with their
child. Autistic children can and do form attachments to their parents and these attachments are
just as likely to be secure as the attachments of normally developing children. However, these
attachments generally have a late onset due to an apparent need for higher mental
representational skills. But once these skills develop, it is quite possible that the parent of an
autistic child may be able to exclaim, “I really felt he loved me” (Holloway, 1981) also.