RAD Reactive Attachment Disorder

Unfortunately, the media has begun spinning story after story concerning the international adoption of children afflicted with serious attachment disorders. RAD or reactive attachment disorder has become the acronym most associated with stories in the media. Though parents of internationally adopted children are many times required to complete reading on such topics, it is beneficial to understand basic information on the symptoms and causes.

Reactive attachment disorder is a result of inadequate bonding between a care giver and child in the first months of life. Typically, children receiving custodial care in an orphanage environment do not receive the one on one attention associated with a normal parent or guardian/child relationship. This lack of attention to hunger, diaper changes, and verbal interaction all cause symptoms of this disorder. Other common causes include a lack of consistency in the quality of care given. One person working in the orphanage might provide excellent care while the person on the next shift provides inadequate care. Many times such facilities have a high rate of turnover, which does not allow a child to attach to any caregiver, in particular. RAD does not discriminate on the basis of gender or race and becomes apparent in the behavior of children 5 years of age and under.

Other symptoms include the inability to be touched or responding in pain when touched, displaying inappropriate and aggressive behavior to maintain control of situations, anger issues, showing inappropriate affection, and no ability to feel guilt after displaying bad behavior.

Families experiencing the symptoms of this attachment disorder have difficulty in finding a correct diagnosis. Over half of all children suffering from Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD are diagnosed with depression. Parents are desperate for answers and this disparity motivates them to lack judgement in making decisions for their children. According to http://www.radkids.org/ , “always consider the dangers in anything you are thinking of trying. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Keep the lines of communication open between yourself and your child’s therapist, and always contact your therapist before making significant changes in your parenting style or trying something new that someone has suggested to you. When it doubt, always clear it with an attachment specialist.