Secure mother-infant attachment and the ABC programme: a case history.

This case history describes the first application of the Attachment and Bio-behavioural Catchup (ABC) programme in the UK. It illustrates the key role and value of primary care clinicians in early infancy. The health visitor's careful and reflective observations, and her close links with a GP who shared her understanding of why these were significant, were the only means for this family to access help. The need for interventions in attachment is only likely to be identified by health visitors, with their unique opportunities to see families in their own homes.