Jean Fischer, LMFT

Living with a child with Attachment Disorder can be an ordeal for parents, no matter what the severity of the child’s symptoms or the preparedness of the parents. When it does become clear that the child needs specific, diagnosis appropriate treatment for Attachment Disorder, many families then discover a “brick wall” in regards to getting financial support from the very sources that should provide either pre-adopt or post-adoptive services to ensure successful integration of the child(ren) into the family. Fortunately, there are resources for all families that have adopted children, be they state or county adoptions or even private adoptions of children from other countries. Yes, it does mean some legwork for the family, but the rewards can obviously mean the success or failure of that adoption.

For families that adopt a child through state or county agencies, there are several options available to not only get assistance with paying for the necessary therapies but also for educating local child welfare agencies, legislators, and others about Attachment Disorder. All states and counties receive Adoption Preservation funds annually from the Federal Government. These monies are specifically allocated to provide services to pre and post-adoptive families to ensure family stability. No matter how long ago or how far away you may be from the county from which you legally took guardianship of your child, that county is responsible for providing support (i.e. funding) for your child’s mental health needs. However, many times the average, front-line caseworker may not be aware of this funding or how to get it to you (through no fault of their own). It is imperative to climb the ladder of each agency’s hierarchy to get to the person who does know about Adoption Preservation funds and can help you to get them for your child. Do not be discouraged if the first, second, third, and fourth person you speak with tells you “No”. Keep plugging away until someone can logically explain to you why they are unable to provide financial support for your child’s best interests and mental health needs. They may recommend that you see a local therapist that they have contracted with to work with AD children, and that can be a great place to start.

These same resources are also available now for families that have adopted privately, although tracking down the appropriate funding sources may be more difficult. Through the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (HR2883), which took effect February 27, 2001, “children adopted from abroad by U.S. citizens receive the same treatment as children born abroad to U.S. citizens”. (From www.holtintl.org/update0919bfaq.html). Other sites to check out are www.fpsol.com/adoption/advocates.html and www.precious.org/resources. As with any service provider for something as precious as a child’s life, caveat emptor, or buyer beware. Become an educated consumer. Ask for the therapists’ credentials, specifically in regards to Attachment Disorder training. Remember, as reading a book about building bridges does not make one an engineer, nor does reading about Attachment Disorder and/or attending a workshop or two make one a trained Attachment Therapist. There are many sites on the web that can lead parents to various professionals in the field of Attachment Disorder, and places they can call to get referrals in their area*.

• Check out www.instituteforattachment.org, www.attach.org, or call The Institute or Attachment and Child Development, Inc. (303-674-1910) for names and agencies of professionals that have been through our Intermediate and/or Advanced Trainings for therapists working in Attachment Disorder. Sadly, there are not yet fully trained therapists in every state, or even in every area of the country. However, there is training available to therapists who wish to become resources for parents throughout the world at The Institute for Attachment and Child Development in Colorado at least three times every year.

If you are lucky enough to have a trained therapist in your area, they can typically
provide you with an assessment of your child’s needs and be able to recommend the most
appropriate treatment. If not, that is a service that The Institute for Attachment and Child
Development, Inc., provides in our Application for Assessment. If your child has not yet
been “officially” diagnosed as Reactive Attachment Disorder by a mental health
professional, but as an educated parent you recognize the symptoms, you have the
opportunity to educate the professionals with whom you are working! There are many
books, web sites, etc., that clearly explain the symptoms, causes, and clinically studied
and proven interventions for this specific diagnosis, and it is difficult to discount this
information. As frustrated and exhausted as parents of children with AD may be, the
only way to get services is to advocate for them by educating anyone and everyone in
your community.

Another wonderful resource for parents is your local legislators. Check your local
telephone directory’s Blue Pages for your local government officer’s numbers, and makes
an appointment to meet with them. As their constituents, they really do want to hear
from you and do what they can to serve you. Obviously, they may be quite busy, but one
can do a lot of educating in a brief 15-minute appointment that can garner support from
them. Most legislators, if not all of them, will gladly support families, adoptions,
prevention and early intervention for children who are at-risk of developing severe
mental health needs and/or juvenile justice involvement. When provided with concise
documentation of what Attachment Disorder is, what it can become if left untreated or
not treated appropriately, and what are the studied and known benefits of appropriate and
successful treatment, most legislators are able to provide a great deal of support for
treatment. Again, the opportunity for community education becomes available again, as
most newspapers and local news agencies are looking for human-interest stories that
provide hope for adopted, abused, and/or neglected children, and local legislators
involved also get free press! Another “win-win” situation for all, especially the children.