Signs of Attachment Disorder in Children: Symptoms & When to Seek Help

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Signs of attachment issues and attachment disorder in children include severe difficulty regulating emotions, emotional withdrawal, avoidance of physical affection, intense control-seeking behaviours, and difficulty forming secure trust with primary caregivers. Early childhood attachment disorders—most commonly recognized as Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)—typically develop when a child’s fundamental emotional safety needs are repeatedly disrupted.

From the time we are infants, we develop attachments to our parents, siblings, grandparents, and other children and adults. For most children, attachment behaviours develop normally where they feel safe and secure in their relationships. As a result, they are not afraid to form new friendships, express emotions, and build meaningful connections with others.

For other children, they have a much more difficult time developing such relationships due to attachment disorders. There are several different classifications and types of attachment disorders, largely based upon early childhood development and their initial relationships with their parents, brothers and sisters, and other close family members.

What Causes Attachment Issues in Children?

Children with these disorders find it difficult to express their emotions and connect with others. They develop a lack of trust in others, which leads to self-doubt and insecurities. They could exhibit anger or behave in such a manner where they are dictating control – regardless of whether the parents give in or not. In many cases, the children with attachment problems feel alone and isolated, and believe no one can be depended upon. Unaddressed, these dynamics can lead to chronic communication problems in families.

One of the more common types is called Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). There can be several different underlying triggers, such as:

• Moving from one foster home to another.
• Being bounced around from one parent or relative to the next.
• Experiencing emotional or physical abuse or severe neglect.

Signs of Attachment Disorder Symptoms in Children and Toddlers

Some of the typical early warning symptoms and signs of attachment issues in children and toddlers to watch for include:

• Developmental Issues – The level of their development is behind other children their own age.
• Anger Issues – From throwing temper tantrums when they do not get their own way to acting in passive-aggressive manners, anger can be expressed both directly and indirectly.
• Avoids Being Touched – Touch and feelings associated with physical forms of affection, like hugs, are perceived by the child as a threat. They will pull away, flinch, say they feel pain, or even laugh when touched affectionately.
• Underdeveloped Conscience – The child with reactive attachment disorder may not display signs of remorse, guilt, or regret after being disciplined for bad behaviour.
• Control Problems – The child feels they must remain in control and will behave in such manners to maintain this control. For instance, they might have a tantrum to sway their parents to do what they want. They can also act out and become defiant, argumentative, and disobedient. (Parents dealing with severe behavioural pushback may benefit from specialized parent training for challenging behaviour).
• Problems Showing Affection – Children with this disorder find it difficult to show true affection towards others. In some cases, they may display few acts of affection towards those closest to them, while conversely, show inappropriate forms of affection towards complete strangers.

As the child ages, the symptoms of unhealthy child attachment will continue to become more pronounced and evident. In addition, if not treated with help from an experienced family and child counsellor, other patterns of either disinhibited or inhibited symptoms often develop.

Supporting Children with Attachment Difficulties in Ontario

If your child exhibits signs of an early childhood attachment disorder, guidance from regulated health professionals—such as Registered Psychotherapists (RP), Registered Social Workers (RSW), or Clinical Psychologists (C.Psych)—can help rebuild trust and restore healthy family bonding.

To learn more about childhood attachment disorders or to book an appointment, please contact Bayridge Counselling Centres at 905-319-1488 today. We have counsellors with expertise in assisting children, teens, and families through both in-person and online counselling options.