It's a RAD RAD World

Our first special chat on Reactive Attachment Disorder was a wonderful opportunity for parents, counselors, and others interested in this disorder to share family interactions, books they have found useful, and some of their own creative parenting techniques. The summary that follows outlines chat highlights, and a detailed transcript is available for those interested in the dialogue.

Background

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is the result of developmental interruptions (often related to abuse and neglect) that generally occur within the first three years of a child's life. The child's ability to bond and trust (attach) to other people is damaged, and attaching to primary caregivers and others is non-existent, inappropriate, or negative, often involving violence.

In their book Adopting the Hurt Child [p.31], therapists Gregory Keck and Regina Kupecky, of the Attachment & Bonding Center of Ohio, caution against over-diagnosing, but note they have found that children with untreated RAD will develop other problems, and that they do not "grow out of it."

One of the most difficult situations for parents to deal with is the disbelief of others outside the family who are exposed only to the child's endearing behaviors which seem to belie the challenges exhibited in the home.

However, treatment programs, parenting techniques, and community are available.

Shared Views

Chat participants included every variety of parent: adoptive (domestic and international adoptions), foster, biological, step, single, and married. We shared resources and references, techniques parents are using that produce positive results, and reviewed the symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Several common points emerged during the one-and-a-half hour chat. These included (but were not limited to):

• Feelings of relief meeting others in the same situation;
• General lack of confidence in diagnostics available through local resources;
• Reluctance of local service providers to get involved because of controversies over therapies;
• The need for parents to take control away from the child;
• The need for - and lack of - respite care;
• It's hell!

- Chat Transcript
- Resources/References
- Symptoms of RAD
- Techniques That Work

Adoption Profiles

Stephen & Miranda Thank you for taking time to learn a little about our family of three. We hope you know how much we respect the strength and courage that you are... [more] other adoption profiles | add your profile A service of Adoption Profiles, LLC