According to attachment theory, your attachment style is developed by the time you are three years old. Attachment styles influence the way we interact in our relationships. Do you find it easy to get close to others? Or do you get a little nervous? Have most of your relationships been unreliable? Can your attachment style change? Although this series focuses on the most disorganized attachments in children, there is still valuable information to help any relationship.

Children with compromised attachments have behaviors that vary from mild to severe. There will be problems with boundaries, distrust and empathy. They often have poor emotional self regulation, expressing feelings, may be self destructive and aggressive. There may be excessive compliance or oppositional behavior. This can include difficulty with planning, cause and effect thinking and focusing. There is often an underlying of intense anxiety and shame. Children with very disorganized attachment often will not respond to natural or typical parenting techniques.

This four part series takes a look at what attachment disorders are, why they occur and how to respond to children that have insecure attachments. It will also address ways to support the caregiver and offers parents tools for their child's best chance at success in school. Every Tuesday for 4 consecutive weeks beginning June 14, 2011 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Utah Valley University, Liberal Arts Buidling, Room 023. This building is next to the library behind the UCCU Events Center. (See map for detail)

Attendance for each series individually is $15 or all four for $40.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011  What is an attachment disorder?

Tuesday, June 21, 2011  How to respond to a child with an insecure attachment

Tuesday, June 28, 2011  Caring for the caregiver

Tuesday, July 5, 2011     Tools for success

Presenter: Jodi Bean is a mother of four children, one of which has struggled with issues due to insecure attachments. Jodi has written a personal memoir, Love Lessons, describing her experience raising a challenging child. Jodi has attended many conferences and has lectured locally as well as mostly recently in Boston for the Adoption Community of New England. She is finishing her undergraduate studies in Communications at UVU and plans to earn her Masters degree in Professional Counseling.

Kasey Harmer and Lauralee Norton run New Hope Academy in American Fork, UT that specializes in providing children the safety and structure needed to succeed in an educational environment.