Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Autism is caused by poor attachment?

201 replies

LosPollosHermanos17 · 29/05/2017 13:26

I have recently been involved in therapy that says autism is caused by poor attachment with the parents causing all the symptoms. I thought this was an outdated theory. Just wondered what other people think of this?

OP posts:
AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 29/05/2017 13:27

It's complete shit

DoubleHelix79 · 29/05/2017 13:27

Total BS and has been debunked many years ago. Ignore. I'd question the credentials of the person running this.

LivingInMidnight · 29/05/2017 13:28

I'd find a new therapist.

Trifleorbust · 29/05/2017 13:29

Rubbish.

TeenAndTween · 29/05/2017 13:29

Rubbish.

LadyPW · 29/05/2017 13:29

I think the theory is directly related to what comes out of the rear end of bulls.

Garnethair · 29/05/2017 13:30

What a heap of crap

DramaAlpaca · 29/05/2017 13:30

What type of therapy is this OP?

user1491572121 · 29/05/2017 13:30

What "therapy" is this OP? It's obviously shite.

Bettyspants · 29/05/2017 13:33

Complete rubbish. There is no VALID research to support this outdated and debunked theory. I'd link it to the mmr causes autism crap.

AlexanderHamilton · 29/05/2017 13:33

What!!!!!

Both my children are autistic. Dd has Aspergers. She hates touch, from a tiny baby didn't like cuddles, is very independent & can seem aloof but is not ashamed to hold my hand even at age 15 & she tells me everything.

Ds on the other hand is high functioning with demand avoidance. He's the most sniffly child you've ever known. Age 13 he would still co sleep if we let him, sits on your knee, loves hugs & is very affectionate.

Same parents two totally different kids. Go figure.

BastardBloodAndSand · 29/05/2017 13:34

Actual Autism isn't no.

But cases where kids have been severely neglected can develop Autism like traits if that makes sense ?? To help them cope with the world around them.

But ye common, garden Autistic person is just Autistic. Bugger all with parenting.

AlexanderHamilton · 29/05/2017 13:34

That should read snuggly child not sniffly.

AlexanderHamilton · 29/05/2017 13:34

That should read snuggly child not sniffly.

YouTheCat · 29/05/2017 13:35

Utter balls.

PaintingByNumbers · 29/05/2017 13:35

personal opinion, this theory is perhaps based on observation eg mother or father has undiagnosed autism, child has diagnosed autism, observers notice a detached style of parenting.

LittleMisslikestobebythesea · 29/05/2017 13:37

I'm autistic as is DS1, he had lots of love and affection as a baby, and still does now, I find attitudes like that very offensive (not having a go at you OP)

RedScissors · 29/05/2017 13:38

There's a psychologist called Suzanne Zeedyke who does a lot of work on attachment and trauma in the early years.

Trauma in the early years can result in a child displaying behaviours which can be mistaken for autism.

PaintingByNumbers · 29/05/2017 13:43

it was called the refrigerator mother I think? 1950s style.

MsAnnThropic · 29/05/2017 13:43

It's not true. However, children with severe attachment disorder do display many of the traits of ASD, and I am aware of cases where attachment disorder has been misdiagnosed as ASD.

BeyondStrongAndStable · 29/05/2017 13:45

This was debunked before the mmr crap even started! How old is the therapist?!

Alfieisnoisy · 29/05/2017 13:45

Yes, a load of rubbish, DS is the most tactile, loving and affectionate child going. This has stemmed from me being a tactile, loving and affectionate Mum. He is still autistic though and the theory of "refrigerator Mothers" was debunked many years ago.

milliemolliemou · 29/05/2017 13:46

this

jamrock · 29/05/2017 13:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NightWanderer · 29/05/2017 13:46

Ah, interesting. A friend of mine adopted a baby abroad. He was severely neglected and has autism. He will never be able to live alone and needs her constant care. She said this was a result of the neglect he suffered as a baby. So, I guess there is something there but definitely not all autistic children were neglected.

Swipe left for the next trending thread