Attachment is the deep and enduring connection established between a child and caregiver in the first few years of life. It profoundly influences every component of the human condition: mind, body, emotions, relationships, and values. Children lacking secure attachments with caregivers experience many difficulties in life and may grow up to be parents who are incapable of establishing this crucial foundation with their own children. At its most severe, attachment disorder is baffling to parents and many therapists. This sourcebook provides a detailed, readable synthesis of early childhood development information from the perspective of attachment theory, and specific information on how infants connect with or disconnect from caregivers. It examines the causes of attachment disorder, and provides in-depth discussion on effective solutions, including a two-week treatment program. Attachment-focused assessment and diagnosis, specialized training and education for caregivers, the controversial "in-arms" treatment for children and caregivers, and early intervention and prevention programs for high-risk families are discussed. Parenting, the child welfare system, and public policy are discussed. Forms, assessment instruments, materials for training, therapy use, and treatment planning are appended. Contains 470 references and an index. (EMK)