DEVELOPMENTAL ASPECTS OF ATTACHMENT BEHAVIOR IN YOUNG-CHILDREN WITH PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Objective: The present study applied a continuous, clinically based ra ting system to compare predictions about attachment behavior in autism resulting from three different theoretical views and to characterize differences in attachment behavior of young autistic children. Method: The attachment behaviors of 32 young children with autism or pervasiv e developmental disorder were examined in a modified ''strange situati on.'' Attachment behaviors were rated on a continuous scale and on the Ainsworth subscales. Attachment ratings were compared with several de velopmental variables, including chronological age, mental age, langua ge level, and social level. Results: The continuous rating scale disti nguished signs of security from signs of insecurity, allowing for beha vioral idiosyncracies in the expression of attachment behavior seen in autistic children. The study found that 50% of the children demonstra ted some behaviors indicative of secure attachment, that no children w ere unattached, and that developmental level rather than severity of a utism was the strongest predictor of attachment security. Conclusions: Autism does not preclude the development of secure attachment relatio nships in young children, but rather it delays the development of secu re attachment and may alter the behavioral patterns that express attac hment security.