Parent Alienation Syndrome

In 1987, child psychiatrist Richard A. Gardner self-published a book titled The Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) and the Differentiation Between Fabricated and Genuine Child Sex Abuse. In this book, Gardner outlined the protocol for diagnosis and treatment of PAS. The book and theory, however, have created a great deal of controversy among Gardner’s colleagues, lawyers and parents everywhere.

Gardner’s theory is based on symptoms that children experience in divorce. He claims that these symptoms add up to a syndrome due to the frequency of their occurrence. These symptoms include the following behavior:

• The child belittles the alienated parent with severe or foul language
• The child can not give a solid reason for his or her behavior
• The child exhibits hate toward the alienated parent.
• The child exhibits the "independent-thinker" phenomenon – the claim that no one told him or her to act like this.
• The child feels a need to support and protect the alienating parent.
• The child does not show guilt over any cruelty projected toward the alienated parent.
• The child vividly recalls experiences that did not occur.
• The child’s attitude spreads to include the friends and family of the alienated parent.

Attorney, Richard Klein believes that Gardner’s theories are generally not based upon scientific or empirical data. Although such symptoms are found in the children of divorcing parents, no such condition or syndrome has been shown to exist. Klein believes that Gardner’s testimony is overused and can have a potentially dangerous effect in child custody cases. Often, the defense of PAS leads to the nonidentification of domestic violence in divorce cases, usually the real source of the problems.

Richard Klein has been involved in many cases where PAS has been used as a defense. He is available to discuss or testify in cases involving this controversial approach. For more information on Parent Alienation Syndrome defenses, contact Richard C. Klein, Esquire at (856) 522-2000