Wilhelmina Attachment Case Study

Wilhelmina, named after my great grandma, is born at a healthy weight and size. I breast feed her and supplement it with formula. She is growing ahead of the curve, but I let her eat until she is full each time, allowing her natural appetite to guide her feedings. At 9 months, Wilhelmina has an obvious attachment to me. According to Attachment Theory, Wilhelmina is in Phase 3 (Secure base behavior) of establishing attachment. At 6 to 24 months, she is starting to show her true attachment by clinging to her caregiver, which is me. She is behind in gross and fine motor skills. At 19 months, Wilhelmina gets along well with other kids. However, she has a strong and secure attachment to me, and is beginning to develop an attachment to her father. She is still in Phase 3 of establishing attachment. A secure attachment suggests she can easily separate from me, but will seek me out when stressed. Wilhelmina is above average in language, but below average motor …show more content…
She is outgoing with other children and activities. However, she is having problems following directions. She gives up when something is too hard. She argues with her friends and acts out to get her favorite toy. Acting out to get her favorite toy is probably instrumental aggression, which is normal at this age. Usually, instrumental aggression shifts to hostile aggression during preschool. Arguing with her friends would be hostile aggression. The frustration-aggression hypothesis also applies here. Her aggression usually follows some sort of frustration over something difficult or not being able to portray her thoughts clearly. It will be important to not give in to her tantrums, because this will reinforce the act. Otherwise, her aggression should decrease. Wilhelmina still scored above average in language comprehension and production. She is now average in copying designs, puzzles, and building, but still below average on climbing, catching, and