I have just finished listing to a CD set of recordings from last year’s ATTACh conference; a day-long workshop entitled: Seeds of Hope: Promising Interventions for At-Risk Children. The CD order form is here.

The speakers, Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross are the developers of the Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Their research training and service are focused on special needs children who... more

The room was eerily quiet during our Sunday School lesson yesterday. I admit it was not what I expected either in our study of the fruit of the spirit. We were wrapping up fruit # 1 – Love. The video series focused on our “fear of love” from the standpoint of rejection.

Now being the mom of a child who has healed significantly from attachment disorder, I’m all over this rejection business. I’m all over this fear of love thought process. The presenter (Beth Moore for those of you looking for an awesome... more

You see an infant banging her head against the wall. Is it normal developmental behavior or an indication of broken attachment? We once had a six month old infant placed in our home that would scream uncontrollably and knock her head against the floor. I ended up carrying her around in one of those infant carriers that you strap on your chest to protect and soothe her. She went back to her parents for a year and then was placed back in our home at eighteen months. Her behavior had worsened. She would pound her head against the wall... more

Part 1 Part 2

Just when I think I’m done with a topic, it keeps hitting me in the face. Two post-script thoughts:

1. Hope Springs Eternal. I’m continually amazed at how long some parents I know are willing to hang in there, waiting for even the smallest sign of a relationship building with their child. Or, even after they’ve vented about giving up and protecting... more

First off, the parent has to recognize that the disorder is there to begin with. This is part of the conversation that Nancy and I were having about “going deep” with relationships. Some children with attachment “issues” (I personally think it could be classified as a disorder, but many folks get all jumpy about labeling kids), are neurologically healthy enough in other ways that the ONLY sign of problems is within that primary caregiver/child relationship. The outside world sees a sweet, well-adjusted child. Some adoptive parents expect no more... more

I’m always humbled when Nancy thinks I’ve written something “fabulous”, (as she posted in a recent blog) especially when I’m pretty convinced that it’s mediocre at best. I’m not sure this article I’ve written for ADN’s newsletter is that great, but the topic is definitely worthy of discussion. The topic of how much we are responsible for, contribute to, or cause our children’s ability or inability to attach is a hot one for parents whose children have Attachment Disorder.... more

The second incident of feces painting wasn’t discovered until later in the day that it happened, unfortunately. I had purchased tickets to take all the children to a play at a local theatre. So we all got dressed up, ate a quick breakfast and headed out the door in kind of a hurry. We all enjoyed the play; I think it was about famous American women, so we were in rather high spirits. We stopped off at McDonald’s for lunch on the way home and the day was going great.

Well, as usual, I headed for the laundry room to start a load of laundry. That’s when I found the painting in all of its glory. Spread in lovely chocolate swirls all over the textured plaster wall, again. Only... more

What do you do when your newly adopted child thinks she is Picasso only she uses feces for her art work? Probably my first encounter with feces art may have been the worst. Honestly I just wasn’t prepared, it was so totally unexpected. I was an unseasoned foster parent back then. We had only had four foster children placed with us before she arrived.

It was early morning and I was going from bedroom to bedroom waking up the children for school. I ran into the laundry room to start a load of laundry. You know, when you have eight children, laundry is an all day affair. Anyway, I opened the laundry room door and there it was. Beautiful brown swirls, with the occasional little... more

The Healing Resources website has a fascinating free video that you can view online entitled Trauma, Brain and Relationships, Helping Children Heal. It is a compilation of interview conducted with some of the country’s authorities on children and trauma.

There were many sections I found fascinating – here’s some things I learned.

Cortisol. I have had a basic understanding that cortisol washes over the brain of a person in distress, enabling the brain to produce adrenaline... more

Those of you who are Focus on the Family fans probably don’t want to miss today’s show.

When Love Isn't Enough Sandra Lundberg and Nancy Thomas Dr. Sandra Lundberg and Nancy Thomas offer advice and encouragement to adoptive parents who face the difficult challenge of raising children with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

When Love Isn't Enough Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Young children who fail to form a proper attachment with their... more