Common Causes of Trauma in Children:
Neglect/Inadequate Bonding

Bonding is a process that leads to an emotional connection or attachment. Dr. Bruce Perry states, “Without predictable, responsive, nurturing and sensory-enriched caregiving, the infant’s potential for normal bonding and attachments will be unrealized. The brain systems responsible for healthy emotional relationships will not develop in an optimal way without the right kinds of experiences at the right times in life.”

It has been found that there are many factors that can influence the ability of children to bond with parents, caregivers or even peers. Some of these factors include the following:

• Infant — The child’s temperament or personality will affect bonding. If the child is irritable or there is a medical problem like a birth defect or illness, there will be more difficulty achieving bonding than with a self-soothing, healthy child.
• Caregiver — Critical, rejecting and interfering parents tend to have children who have difficulty bonding. Causes may include maternal depression, substance abuse, personal difficulties or poor health.
• Environment — Fear caused by the environment can lead to difficult bonding. Pervasive threats, chaotic environments, domestic violence, community violence or war zones are detriments to bonding.
• Fit — The “fit” between the temperament of the mother and the child is crucial.

Factors seen in children with bonding problems vary depending upon the nature, intensity, duration and time of the neglect or abuse.

• Developmental delays — These can be physical, emotional or cognitive.
• Eating — Odd habits such as hoarding or hiding food may persist. Sometimes severe problems like throwing up food or difficulty swallowing appear later in life.
• Soothing behaviors — The child exhibits excessive behaviors including, rocking, chanting, scratching, biting or cutting themselves. The child may also purposely bang his or her head.
• Emotional functioning — Depression and anxiety symptoms are common.
• Inappropriate modeling — Girls who have been sexually abused tend to model inappropriate behavior. Boys who have been sexually abused may become abusers.
• Aggression — The two primary problems are lack of empathy and poor impulse control.

In some instances when a child has bonding difficulties because of neglect, the teacher can play a critical part in helping the child become more emotionally strong. Dr. Perry states that the following areas are critical in helping the child become better able to exhibit bonding behavior and overcome the difficulties connected with neglect. Following are some strategies for teachers to help a child with bonding difficulties:

• Nurture
• Try to understand behaviors
• Parent these children based on emotional age
• Be consistent, predictable and repetitive
• Model and teach appropriate social behaviors
• Listen and talk with these children
• Have realistic expectations
• Be patient with the child’s progress and with yourself
• Take care of yourself
• Take advantage of other resources

 

• Bruce D. Perry “Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children,” The Child Trauma Academy.
  http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/index.htm

• Child Abuse and Neglect
  http://www.center4familydevelop.com/helpchildabuseneglect.htm

• Child Abuse and Neglect Resources
  http://www.tribal-institute.org/lists/child.htm

• Child Abuse and Neglect Overview Paper (hotlist)
  http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/html/nfntsnegl_e.html