TY - JOUR
T1 - Parental sensitivity and attachment in children with autism spectrum disorder
T2 - Comparison with children with mental retardation, with language delays, and with typical development
AU - Van Ijzendoorn, Marinus H.
AU - Rutgers, Anna H.
AU - Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J.
AU - Swinkels, Sophie H.N.
AU - Van Daalen, Emma
AU - Dietz, Claudine
AU - Naber, Fabienne B.A.
AU - Buitelaar, Jan K.
AU - Van Engeland, Herman
PY - 2007/3/1
Y1 - 2007/3/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33947529033&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33947529033&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01016.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01016.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 17381792
AN - SCOPUS:33947529033
VL - 78
SP - 597
EP - 608
JO - Child Development
JF - Child Development
SN - 0009-3920
IS - 2
ER -