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Do you know what to look for? Are your child's behaviors attachment-related? A list of symptoms.

Continue reading Reactive Attachment Disorder - Symptoms

Holy Cow!!! I am a single mom of 3 boys, 13,7 1/2, and almost 3. My 3 yr old attacked me in the courthouse the other day, and a person there recommended getting him evaluated, along with looking up attachment issues on the internet. So, here I am. I was floored when I read the list of symptoms...that's my Son! He is very aggressive with me, and nobody that doesn't see him on a daily basis believes he is that bad, since he's so sweet in front of people! He hits me, tells me to "shut up!" constantly, has killed a frog in the yard with a stick, and seemed proud of it, is always hitting the dogs or cats, very defiant about everything, refuses to use the potty to the point of screaming,(which is SO pleasant in a public restroom!!!) I left his father 2 years ago, after dealing with physical and verbal abuse, and have an Order for Protection against him, but he does have visitation rights(e.o.wknd, fri-sun). There are apparently no rules at Dad's, he pretty much runs wild, eats when he wants, what he wants, etc. It's like I have to deprogram my son every time he comes home, after listening to him scream for at least a half-hour, about wanting his daddy, "I don't WANNA live with Mommy, I want my DADDY!" and when I try to calm him down, by holding him and reassuring him that it's okay to have sad feelings, Mommy loves him, he tells me"You DONT love me, my DADDY loves me!"
I am so frustrated with this, and have began to doubt my own abilities as a parent. My other 2 sons (different fathers) are very loving and seem "normal". It's pretty sad when my 7 yr old tells me "It's okay, Mom, you're doing a good job."
(Just for the record, we do not use the words "Shut up" in my house, nobody is allowed to hit, for ANY reason, and yelling is for outside.)
Is there a support group for parents of these kids, and do I have to have him evaluated to get a diagnosis for this?
Thanks-

My name is Maggie. We adopted a son several years ago with RAD. If you would like to have someone to talk to you can email me at jrock3@windstream.net

Hang in there and take care of yourself!