Exploratory Study of Parenting Differences for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attachment Disorder

Abstract

The current study explored similarities and differences in parenting stress and behaviours in parent reports of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attachment Disorder (AD). 155 parents whose children had developmental delays and disorders completed the Social Communication Questionnaire, Randolph Attachment Questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Parenting Stress Index, and Parent-child Relationship Inventory.Parents of children with AD reported greater levels of parenting stress than parents of children with ASD. Parents of children reaching criteria for both disorders reported the greatest levels of parenting stress. Limit setting was poorest in parents of children with both classifications, followed by parents of children with AD, and then ASD. Limit setting mediated the relationship between parenting stress and child behaviour problems for parents of children with ASD< but not for parents of children with AD. These findings suggest different areas of difficulty for parents of children with these conditions, which may be of help in designing interventions.

Towards a comprehensive approach to mentalization-based treatment for children with autism: integrating attachment, neurosciences, and mentalizing

“…Children with autism and their families may be at increased risk of developing insecure attachment patterns due to difficulties in communication and social functioning associated with autism, and the prevalence of similar traits and mental health problems among family members ( 16 , 64 , 66 – 68 ). Furthermore, there is evidence that suggests that children with autism and their parents can experience higher levels of stress ( 69 , 70 ), making attachment security more complex to achieve. In addition, children with autism that also have attachment difficulties present particular challenges for therapists, researchers, and all those seeking to understand their symptoms and provide appropriate support ( 70 ).…”

“…Furthermore, there is evidence that suggests that children with autism and their parents can experience higher levels of stress ( 69 , 70 ), making attachment security more complex to achieve. In addition, children with autism that also have attachment difficulties present particular challenges for therapists, researchers, and all those seeking to understand their symptoms and provide appropriate support ( 70 ). Based on this evidence, interventions aimed at addressing behavioral and emotional problems in children with ASD may benefit from a model that uses attachment relationships to help the child regulate their emotions with the help of caregivers.…”

Psychometric Properties of Assessment Instruments for Reactive Attachment Disorder and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder in Minors under Protective Measures

“… Relationship Patterns Questionnaire (RPQ): The RPQ, created by Kurth and Pokorny in 1999 [19], employs a 10-item Likert scale to evaluate RAD symptoms, encompassing both RAD and DSED. Six items describe inhibited behaviors, while four describe disinhibited behaviors [20].  Reactive Attachment Disorder and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder Assessment (RADA): Developed by Lehmann et al in 2018 [21], the RADA assessment follows DSM-5 criteria.…”

Reactive Attachment Disorder and Its Relationship to Psychopathology: A Systematic Review

“…Focusing on RAD, according to the DSM-5-TR [6], comorbidity with some developmental difficulties is common, especially cognitive and language difficulties, stereotypies, internalising and externalising problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conditions that have been associated with neglect and abuse experiences [17,18] and institutional care or frequent changes of caregivers [3,[18][19][20][21].…”