Parental sensitivity and attachment in children with autism spectrum disorder: comparison with children with mental retardation, with language delays, and with typical development.
This study on sensitivity and attachment included 55 toddlers and their parents. Samples included children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), mental retardation, language delay, and typical development. Children were diagnosed at 4 years of age. Two years before diagnosis, attachment was assessed with the Strange Situation procedure, and parental sensitivity and child involvement during free play were assessed with the Emotional Availability Scale. Parents of children with ASD were equally sensitive as parents of children without ASD, but their children showed more attachment disorganization and less child involvement. More sensitive parents had more secure children, but only in the group without ASD. Less severe autistic symptoms in the social domain predicted more attachment security. Autism challenges the validity of attachment theory.
van Ijzendoorn
Marinus H
MH
Centre for Child and Family Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, the Netherlands. vanijzen@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Rutgers
Anna H
AH
Bakermans-Kranenburg
Marian J
MJ
Swinkels
Sophie H N
SH
van Daalen
Emma
E
Dietz
Claudine
C
Naber
Fabienne B A
FB
Buitelaar
Jan K
JK
van Engeland
Herman
H
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012016:Reference Values; D012931:Social Environment; D012951:Socialization