a pilot investigation of an attachment formulation workshop within a specialist inpatient autism service.

Abstract

Purpose: There is an increasing emphasis for services to attend to the mental health and attachment of autistic people. There is limited research in relation to the process of attachment within autistic people. Method: The current research was a pilot investigation of a staff attachment workshop within an inpatient autism service. This involved the application of Crittenden’s dynamic-maturational model of attachment within the multi-disciplinary team. Results: The results indicate that attachment formulation workshops are useful in increasing staffs’ understanding of attachment and in managing behaviours that challenge. Implications: It is suggested to continue to facilitate and to research attachment workshops within autism services.