Reactive Attachment Disorder
What follows is an edited (for brevity) transcript of our first chat about Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). It's quite long even so, but full of insight into the challenges faced by adoptive, foster, and biological parents of children diagnosed with RAD or exhibiting similar symptoms. Chatters shared family interactions, books they have found useful, and some of their own creative parenting techniques. Specific resources and references have been
noted separately for your convenience.
Chat ModeratorHi everyone, and welcome. I'm our Editor and an adult RAD
JodyHOST Hi All, I am Jody Swarbrick, insane and single Mom of 28 kids....all special needs! Two of my children have RAD among other disorders. I am also the Parenting Special Needs Guide here on About.
poppyflr Is this a regular scheduled chat topic or special for today?
Chat Moderator special today poppy - we wanted to see if there was enough interest to have something on a regular basis
poppyflrI have seven children, three bios and four foster...I think two of my fosters have RAD.
KAYDOC hello I am a single mom of 7 adopted children 4 with RAD Plus other things
KAYDOC nice to see other people in my similar situation
poppyflr Kay, I feel much better now...
JodyHOST oh me too.... :-)
Chat Moderator me too! my parents always felt very isolated
Johnsmom I have 3 bio kids, 2 step and 1 bio child with RAD
BonnieA I am a single mom of 4 children, leaving Sunday to pick up #5, with #6 coming in about a month. I've had some RAD experiences.
JodyHOST How so Chat Moderator?
Chat Moderator Jody, at the time (I'm 53 now) there *was* no community, and the only support was through institutionalization. Once they vetoed that, they were on their own
poppyflr My foster children belong to my sister...the state placed them with me. they have not been diagnosed but display symptoms of RAD.
Chat Moderator poppy, are you planning to get a psychiatric diagnosis?
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I have 2 adopted foster children. They came to us at ages 2 and 3. One, my daughter is 10 and doing well but my one now 11 going on 12 has a variety of diagnosis including ADHD, Stress disorder, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and now RAD attachment disorder. Dealing with him takes all of our love, patients and energy so we find it very difficult to deal with relatives who just do not understand that we have to have be consistant and firm with him.
Yesturday he brought a knife to school and we grounded him but we were scheduled to go to my brother in laws for Passover today. The family does not like it when my son comes over and is in trouble. We told them that he could participate in the Passover meal but he was grounded and would not be able to play with the other cousins. My brother in law asked us not to come because it was too upsetting to everyone to see him grounded.
It is crazy! Well meaning family run away from you because they just don't get it but they are some of the very support we need.
Does anyone have any suggestions or comments?
Posted by: smbearman at 04/19/2008 02:56 PM
We adopted a boy who is severe RAD. I have found that one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to talk with someone who goes through the same things. The outside world does not understand what these children put us through. If you want to talk maybe I can help. My name is Maggie and my email is [email]jrock3@windstream.net[/email]
Hang in there!
Posted by: margaret at 10/25/2006 08:26 AM
Experienced RAD Counselors please contact via email or this forum. Interested in treatment for adults diagnosed with RAD. Noticed that RAD "never grows out..."???
Work with adoptive children and parents and eager to learn more.
Thank you.
Posted by: napeahi at 10/17/2006 09:56 AM
Posted by: bridee at 06/28/2006 03:18 AM
You might try clicking on the link in the first post for resources and information.
You might also try radkid.org for a list of therapists/specialists near you. I've also heard that Nancy Thomas offers a lot of help in finding specialists that might not be listed elsewhere. She also has a lot of support resources. You can google her name and her website will come up.
My kids have had attachment issues, but not full blown RAD. I know many people whose children are diagnosed with it though and know it's a very very tough road to travel.
Feel free to vent and I hope you can find the info you are looking for. Support is very important while dealing with this!
Crick
Posted by: Crick at 04/01/2006 10:29 AM
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