Secure parent-child attachment is beneficial for the development, wellbeing, and participation of all children. Children with a disability or developmental delay are significantly less likely to develop a secure attachment than the general population. Furthermore, children with a disability or developmental delay are almost twice as likely to develop a disorganised attachment which is associated with poorer outcomes in behaviour, learning, and mental and physical health.
If you are working with young children and their families, you have the perfect opportunity to support the development of secure parent-child relationships. You are most likely already doing things in your work which are benefiting the quality of parent-child interactions. Core elements of a contemporary best practice approach in ECI are helpful such as the Key Worker model, strengths-based practice, coaching, and routines-based intervention. Typical ECI practices such as supporting parent-child communication and play, using sensory strategies, and supporting families to access counselling and family support services are helpful. Specific attachment-focused strategies can be additionally beneficial such as talking about attachment, supporting co-regulation, video feedback on parent-child interaction, and the use of cognitive strategies.
Attachment-focused ECI provides you with the opportunity to help build better futures for the children and families you are working with.