Reactive Attachment Disorder

S. L- Hi! I have a child with sensory issues as well as attachment disorder. He is 2 1/2.We started fostering to adopt when he was 13 months. At that time he would not let us touch,hug,kiss or hold him very much. Lots of tantrums. He has come along way but also has a long road ahead of him. We often experience alot of sleeping issues and eating issues as well. I am located in San Lorenzo, Ca. I am not sure where you are located but I sure would love to have someone to talk to. Hope to hear from you soon. V.

I don't have any advise about RAD, but you sound like a loving and kind person, sometimes love and stability will overcome the problems children have. let her know you love her and will keep her no matter what she does.
take care
J.

Hi S.,

I have an adopted son who has RAD. He's not a young toddler anymore he's 5. I think it's wonderful that you are adopting the little one. My son has some social issues we have been working on. We got him when he was 4 and he'll be 6 in August. He's made some huge achievements. There are areas we are still working on. We have just got to the point he can play by himself some. He has the social skills of a 3 year old. He is a wonderful loving child but the hugs and kisses didn't' happen over night. If you want to exchange stories, vent, brainstorm on positive ways to teach the kids how to behave. I've learned a lot and could learn more, and could use a friend who understands as well.

M.

Dear S.,

I have not had personal experience with an RAD child, but I have read about it, a little. You already know tons more than I do about mothering, so I will just say, pray a lot, read books and articles on it. - Go to the Psychology section of the internet and get the latest ideas on what to do. You might use similar ones to what they do when working with an autistic child. ....and pray. You have been given a gift that God knows that you are capable of caring for. Since she is so young, maybe she will forget, I understand that babies do not retain their memories until they are older.

Notice children when they are interviewed on TV, they go 'um' and then their parent reminds them. So count on that, and do a lot of thinking about what this child would react positively to. Try out different ideas and drop the ones that don't work.

Pray and ask God's guidance every day, I know you do already, and so do I. Just rely on Him. Sincerely, C. N.

Reactive attachment disorder has received increasing attention as a possible explanation of the severe behavioral disturbances in the children and the adolescents. Its etiology is hypothesized as related to the failure of the attachment beginning in infancy. Although, diagnosis of RAD is usually made in early childhood, the diagnosis may be carried over into the adolescence. In the some cases, diagnosis may be made for the first time in the adolescence if there is sufficient information in the history to make diagnosis retrospectively.
http://www.disorderscentral.com/reactive-attachment-disor...