Attachment typically begins in infancy, when a baby’s cries are answered by a loving caregiver.

But what happens if those cries go unanswered?

TCU’s Institute of Child Development recently released a new DVD titled Attachment: Why It Matters, featuring the work of Professor Karyn Purvis, director of the institute, and Professor David Cross, codirector, as they detail their latest research on how secure attachments can help counter the effects of early trauma.

The 3.5-hour video features adoptive parents who share their struggles and successes as they try to make sense of their own attachment histories and become better parents.

“We are so blessed to be able to offer this,” Purvis says. “This way, anybody in the world can learn about what we’re doing and do it. And our students get to use the materials in their classes.”

The DVD is a production of the Institute and part of its Healing Families DVD set that gives specific tips for those raising children who are at-risk or developmentally challenged due to trauma.

The series was made possible by grants from The Rees-Jones Foundation, Harold Simmons Foundation, Lesley Family Foundation, The Meadows Foundation and the Mabel Peters Caruth Fund at the Communities Foundation of Texas.

On the Web:
To order the $45 DVD or for more information, visit www.child.tcu.edu.