The ADBB is a scale for assessing relational withdrawal in babies between 0 and 24 months of age, with 8 observation items. It is an observation aid validated by research.
The ADBB was developed by Pr. A. Guedeney (child psychiatrist, Hôpital Bichat Claude Bernard, AP/HP Paris). The Baby Alarm Distress Scale (ADBB) is an observation aid for child professionals (paediatricians, child psychiatrists, psychologists, nursery nurses, educators, etc.). It is used in clinical settings (screening), for the evaluation of interventions, and for research.
WHY LEARN TO ASSESS RELATIONAL WITHDRAWAL?
Withdrawal is a major component of the baby’s response to the alteration of the relationship that occurs during the still face experience or in the clinic during maternal depression.
Withdrawal behaviour is also one of the most stable developmental behaviours, despite the major changes that occur in the first three years of life.
Early relational withdrawal behaviour is therefore an important warning signal.
The baby’s defensive repertoire is indeed initially quite limited, and centres mainly around protest and withdrawal.
Withdrawal is more difficult to identify than protest, yet it is involved in many situations of early psychopathology, whether they are caused initially by a relational disorder, or by an organic disorder, as in intense and lasting pain.