There are many issues related to psychopathy, both physical and environmental. RAD children often exhibit bizarre behaviors including psychosis. They cannot relate to others with any normal level of emotional involvement, but not all RAD kids are psychotic.
I have worked with numerous dangerous children, and have adopted many severely troubled children. I have dealt with RAD, ODD, and innumerable “alphabet soup” kids, but, I have only met two psychopaths-one of whom lives with me.
These children are amazing in many regards. They are often outgoing, extremely personable and tend to be good looking. Until you get past the veneer, you would never imagine little Johnny will do literally anything to get what he wants. They can manipulate well-meaning adults and prey upon their peers in ways unimaginable to a normal person.
No one will diagnose a child as a psychopath, but it is clear from early on that they are completely without conscience. Shortly after my son was adopted, he went to a large fish tank that we had and pulled out a small crab. Looking at me with eyes completely devoid of emotion, he dropped it on the ground and said,”The crab’s dead.”
He was five-years old.
Forgot the important part: he stepped on it...
When they removed her from that situation they discovered that she had used a steak knife to mutilate a Barbie doll that my mother had given her as a Birthday present. She told the Psychologist that she was "practicing."
Looking back I think I can safely say she was one of the most amoral people I have ever met.