The Psychobiological Theory of Attachment: A Viable Frame of Reference for Early Intervention Providers Kris A. Barnekow Gary W. Kraemer ABSTRACT. Psychobiological Attachment Theory (PAT) (Kraemer, 1992) provides a way of thinking about caregiver-infant relationships for use in clinical practice. This manuscript describes how the theory translates into a frame of reference that can be used in practice within the context of natural environments. A discussion of the theoretical base, function/dysfunction criteria, postulates regarding change, and presen- tation of an evaluation guide, provides a practical tool for use in early in- tervention practice. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Doc- ument Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <docdelivery@ haworthpress.com> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.] Kris A. Barnekow, PhD, and Gary W. Kraemer, PhD, are affiliated with the Univer- sity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Address correspondence to: Kris A. Barnekow, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Mil- waukee, College of Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Program , 2400 West Hart- ford Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53201 (E-mail: krisb@uwm.edu). The authors would like to acknowledge the United States Maternal and Child Health Bureau through the Center for Leadership in Occupational Therapy Education via Grant MCJ-009102, the Caroline Goss Wisconsin Distinguished Fellowship, and the Virginia Horne Henry Fund for supporting doctoral training. They would also like to thank their colleagues Noralyn Davel-Jacques, Pam Erlanger and Linda Wetzel for their thoughtful review. The authors would like to extend their gratitude to all of those families served in early intervention who have provided those experiences that we have learned from. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, Vol. 25(1/2) 2005 http://www.haworthpress.com/web/POTP © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Digital Object Identifier: 10.1300/J006v25n01_02 3