Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman Responds to Jean Mercer

Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman, founder of New York’s Center for Family Development, responds to Jean Mercer here.

Jean Mercer is an academic psychologist who failed to obtain a clinical license. She has never seen a patient.

Attachment Disorder Checklist, Part 1

A professional assessment is necessary to determine whether or not a child has an Attachment disorder. At the Center for Family Development we use several tests as part of a comprehensive assessment to determine what attachment issues are causing problems and what will be the most effective treatment plan. We work very closely with the parents to develop a plan to help remediate attachment problems. This check list can help you identify areas of potential problem. This check list is not meant to substitute for a professional assessment and treatment plan.

Circle the items if they are frequently or often true.

1. My child teases, hurts, or is cruel to other children.
2. My child can’t keep friends for an age-appropriate length of time.
3. My child doesn’t do as well in school as my child could do even with a little more effort.
4. My child pushes me away or becomes stiff when I try to hug, unless my child wants something from me, in which case my child can be affectionate and engaging.
5. My child argues for long periods of time, often about meaningless or silly things.
6. My child has a large need to control everything.
7. My child is hyper-vigilant.
8. My child acts amazingly innocent, or pretends that things aren’t really bad or a problem when caught doing something wrong.
9. My child does dangerous things such as runs away, jumps out of windows, or other potentially harmful actions. My child seems oblivious to the fact that my child may be hurt.
10. My child deliberately breaks or ruins his things or other’s things.

Arthur Becker-Weidman

About the Founder

Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D. received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland’s Institute for Child Study. He has achieved Diplomat Status in Child Psychology and Forensic Psychology from the American Board of Psychological Specialties. Dr. Becker-Weidman is a Registered Clinician with the Association for the Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children.

He has been treating the families of internationally adopted children and foster children for over two decades. As Director of the Center for Family Development Dr. Becker-Weidman consults with Departments of Social Services, Residential Treatment Centers, Mental Health Clinics, and School districts. Dr. Becker-Weidman provides training and workshops to parents and professionals across the U.S., Canada, and overseas. He is co-editor of the book, Creating Capacity for Attachment. Dr. Becker-Weidman is on the Board of ATTACh where he chairs the clinical registration committee. He is an adjunct Clinical Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Becker-Weidman has published many articles in peer-reviewed professional publications and presented at numerous international, regional, and state professional meetings.

Welcome!

The Center for Family Development is Western New York’s only attachment center specializing in the treatment of adopted and foster families with trauma and  attachment disorder. Our professionals have the knowledge, skills, personal experiences, and professional training to help adoptive and foster families with attachment concerns.

The Center for family Development has focused much of its efforts on helping adoptive and foster families. The needs of adoptive families are unique and very few professionals understand these families and their special problems. The Center for Family Development was founded by Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman to provide answers to questions, solutions to problems, and the expert support necessary for families to thrive in these turbulent times.