One of these things is not like the others -

[kyburg]

Even though it might be called by the same thing.

You talk to some of the activists concerned about the rights for adoptees (bastardnation.org is one of my favorites), and you hear about the term 'attachment disorder treatment and training.'

Shoot, I've heard nothing but attachment, bonding, attachment since I began taking classes with DCFS - but after checking in with the activists...there is something going around by the same name...and it's brutal abuse, full stop, no more, no less.

The Good Guys? The Texas Christian University Institute of Child Development. They're the ones who developed the book "The Connected Child" - recommended by my agency, and reviewed by me elsewhere.

The Bad Guys? Evergreen Psychotherapy Center Attachment and Training Institute" in Colorado. These are the guys who tipped me off.

Guys, I have NEVER heard of the Evergreen center in any of my contacts with DCFS, Heartsent or any other legitimate parenting class. Matter of fact, anything that smacked of coercion or physical restraint was forbidden and considered, well, WRONG.

Just wanted to let you know. Attachment Training is going around by the same name - but with two REALLY different practitioners.

(*reads* Jeebus. Yes, you hold children to form attachment - and you expect some resistance, but you don't FORCE it. WTF. OVER. REPEAT.)

Comments

[magaliiiii.livejournal.com]

yeah i can see maybe where they got the foundation for their techniques but they all seem founded on misconceptions of how children's minds work. and then they take it to a really bad place >(

[simgaroop.livejournal.com]

What the Hell?! Why are these people still practicing that form of pure, unadulterated torture to a child? Those bastards should be in jail! O_O

I've had to use physical force maybe twice in my career, but it was to protect a very young autistic child (who was in the middle of an extremely disruptive episode) from hurting himself. And I had to be extremely careful to hold him with just the required force to control the kid, NEVER to hurt him. You are supposed to CALM him down and provide him the support he needs, not to humilliate or anger him further.

Are these people out of their freaking minds?!

Man... and the mom feeding that grown boy with a bottle. God... that's revolting!

I'd never read about this "therapy", so I really appreciate your links, for I'm now aware of these pseudo-therapists. I work with autistic children, and the parents are always looking for alternative ways to treat their children. So far, I've never had a parent mention this practice, but I'll be now really alert in case someone does. I'm worried this might be a common treatment in my own country.

I can't believe them... how low and how far they can go to get money from concerned parents.

Thanks for the heads up.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Coming from you, that's very comforting. Miss FULLBRIGHT SCHOLAR you.

(Please tell me you're going to pick a school near me. Please. Please.)

I am SO proud of you. Just can't help it. *chuffs*

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

Seems like it just goes to reinforce that a good tool in the wrong hands can be a really bad thing.

[lolleeroberts.livejournal.com]

Good lord. Those Evergreen quacks killed a child. How are they still allowed to practice?

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

You tell me. Are these facilities even JCAHO accredited?

[bitpig.livejournal.com]

Wow! I thought that "attachment parenting" was having the baby sleep in bed with Mommy and Daddy (which we do). I had no idea that all this other crap was going on! Why must people torment little children?

Thanks for the tip — you can bet that mundeemo and I would never squash, compress, or otherwise abuse our child the way the people in that "Institute" apparently do. Children need discipline, yes, but always tempered with love!

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Well, you can see what some people consider 'discipline.'

It's pretty scary.

[jrittenhouse.livejournal.com]

I have gotten terribly tired of some of the dumbshit things that 'adoption experts' keep coming up with. I expect Skinner Boxes any day now.