Clinical observations of the differences between children on the autism spectrum and those with attachment problems – the Coventry Grid

By Heather Moran | Published in Good Autism Practice, 2010.

From the Introduction…

This paper raises the issue of differential diagnosis in children who present with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Some of these children will be on the autism spectrum and some will not, their difficulties being explained by attachment problems.
There will be a very small number of children who will have both autism and attachment problems.

More is now known about attachment disorder and the treatments being developed focus on developing and strengthening emotional relationships. Treatments for children on the autism spectrum may also have this as a goal, but would also address their needs in relation to communication, social and emotional understanding and flexibility.

Coventry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) has developed the Coventry Grid: ASD vs Attachment Problems to try to identify differences between the two groups and so assist in differential diagnosis.
Open The Coventry Grid. The PDF will open in a new browser tab or window.