The article “There’s always one” (TES Magazine, October 16) touches on many characteristics of challenging behaviour that are characterised by attachment disorders. It is true to say that these disorders are embedded in the earliest weeks and months of life, and have been shown to severely compromise the development of healthy neural pathways.

It is also likely that the characteristics of attachment disorders are often confused for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a misdiagnosis that is harmful.

But help is increasingly at hand. Three books - Attachment in the Classroom by Heather Geddes, Inside I’m Hurting by Louise Michelle Bomber, and Teenagers and Attachment, edited by Andrea Perry (all published by Worth from 2006 to 2009) - offer an accessible overview, and extemely practical strategies, for dealing with a growing problem.

Kevin Street, Principal education case worker, SWIIS Foster Care, Edgbaston, Birmingham.