It was encouraging to read Oliver James’s article “Run for the hills or cling on like a monkey” (TES magazine, October 3).I am an education case worker with a foster care agency where attachment disorders figure significantly with children we look after. But any study of these disorders will confirm that there are many other children and young people who are at severe risk if their disorder is not acknowledged and managed. Research suggests that misdiagnosis of ADHD is masking many children’s attachment disorder.
Until teacher trainers, schools and all in education take on attachment disorders, many more children will fail to reach their potential and end up as excluded, marginalised and traumatised individuals.
Kevin Street, Principal education case worker, SWIIS Foster Care, Birmingham.