At the Nigliazzo Advocacy Center, we want to provide YOU with all the resource possibilities you need to make great decisions for your family. The resources listed below are gathered from various sources. Since we do not know your particular situation, we cannot officially recommend a particular resource. Instead, this page is designed to give you places to look for what might suit your situation. With all the resources out there, we hope you will find something that makes your journey a little easier!
SUPPORT NETWORKS FOR FAMILIES RAISING KIDS WITH ATTACHMENT DISORDER
From the Attach website: ATTACh, the Association for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children, is an international coalition of professionals and families dedicated to helping those with attachment difficulties by sharing our knowledge, talents and resources.
Our vision is to be an international leader in creating public awareness and education regarding attachment and the critical role it plays in human development. We provide an annual conference, membership directory, and other benefits to our members and the public. We invite you to join us as we continue our mission to promote healthy attachment and its critical importance to human development.
Parent Comment: "As the mother of a daughter with RAD I have referred a dozen or more individuals to Attach for more information--to try to help them understand what it's like to live in a family effected by RAD. It was/is the best source I could find." ~ Shelley Calissendorff, Mother and Founder of Smile at Your Baby (see Smile at Your Baby listed below) ********
From their website: ATN can help! Start by visiting our sections on Understanding Attachment and Understanding Trauma to get a better foundation of the causes and symptoms of these disorders. Then, think about joining ATN, a national parent-led organization dedicated to supporting our children and our families.
The most important healing agent for your child is YOU! So ATN is here to support you, help you find the resources in your area, and to connect you with other parents traveling this journey. You are Not Alone!
Looking for resources? Check out our nationwide database. In crisis? Join our online support groups, or email/call us for more support. And don’t forget to take care of the MOST important person in your child’s life…YOU!
Mom (and friend), Diana Esplin, provides a wonderful blog helping other families go from "survival to serenity." Diana informs me that she is still building her blog after switching from her former blog, Gold to Refine. She has some great information, survival techniques, and more, but says even more is coming! Check out her blog!
Great advocacy resources for families raising kids with mental health issues. Mary Thunker, advocate (and friend!), is an inspirational advocate for all kids with mental health issues.
Anyone who knows the importance of PREVENTION will appreciate this site! Friend and parent advocate, Shelley Calissendorff, created this awesome page to educate new and soon-to-be parents on the whats, whys and hows of bonding with baby while also preventing behavior disorders such as Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a slew of other sad outcomes. Also, Smile At Your Baby!'s BABY BIT program coaches parents a little bit at a time via text message, every Mon.- Fri. to US and Canadian cell phones for FREE. Text SAYB to 760-670-3144 to sign up. It's easy.
From Jennifer James, describing the purpose of the "What is IEP?" website: " I work on educating parents about the IEP process and how to become stronger advocates for their children. I have worked with kids with emotional disabilities including RAD for 20+ years. "
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GREAT BOOKS
Attachment, Trauma, and Healing is an excellent resource for parents raising kids with attachment disorder. The book is outlined in a clear, easy to follow format and serves not only as a great reference initially, but as a tremendous resource in reaching out to others unfamiliar with attachment disorder.
Friend and author, Toni Hoy, tells a compelling real life story of her family's experience in advocating for their child through a system that was not ready to help. Powerful and compelling, Second Time Foster Child, documents an experience that far too many of our families have faced far too often.
Building the Bonds of Attachment is a staple in the attachment disorder library of any clinician or family raising a child with attachment disorder. This is a MUST HAVE book.
Friends, Lori Thomas and Michael Trout, share their letters back and forth as Lori seeks help for her child. The powerful compilation tells a wonderful story of a parent advocate and a wonderful therapist and, most importantly, their combined impact on a very special child.
Greg Keck is one of my personal favorites! His books on adopting and parenting a hurt child are profoundly on point. As an experienced clinician and parent, Dr. Keck "gets it."
While serving on the board of directors for Attach, I had the opportunity to contribute some articles to the Hope for Healing manual. This manual is easy to read and will help you get that "ahah!" moment every parent needs when working with a child with attachment issues. I have my own copy, but also ordered six more for my child's IEP team. Simple, but powerful.