Parents and Teachers (Must Read) Reactive Attachment Disorder

Attachment Org ^ | 25 OCT 2011 | Nancy Thomas

[BCW]

Overview of Reactive Attachment Disorder for Teachers

If a parent has given you this to read, you are teaching a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder. The family of this child has apparently decided to share this information with you. That sharing is a big step for this family and one you have to treat gently and with the respect it deserves. This family has been through traumas you cannot even imagine. I will describe a few of them here below so that you get the "flavor" and perhaps even begin to understand why this child's parents sometimes seem so harsh or harried or even depressed.

[BCW]

Agreed - but it starts with the history of the child from birth - onward. Once that is completed - situations and circumstances can be drawn to see exactly where the child fits...

I put this info out there because there are parents adopting - but also - there are parents neglecting their children - and someone here may be a teacher or dr - or service professional that works with children — this will at least begin to identify and help heal the child for a successful life...

[momtothree]

Absolutely, BCW. I was sort of commenting on one of the posts that stated that children who are loved and coddled too much... That wouldn’t be the case with RAD. I read tons of literature about RAD since we adopted from China. It is severe and to be honest... one of the saddest conditions a child could have IMHO. I can’t imagine for one second what a child endures to have that type of break essentially.. to not be able to bond again with any human. I remember Romania has issues with this. Prayers for you and your family, BCW!

[Scotsman will be Free]

Thanks.

[CaptainAmiigaf]

Your words “Sounds Like” hit me right where it hurts like hell. Almost too close.

[eccentric]

thanks. Do you have a website that compares these two issues?

[Lancey Howard]

LOL!
Another “disorder” to use as an excuse to “medicate” the kids.

[BCW]

You don’t medicate children with RAD — through time - you show them that the ADULT is in charge - and that the adults that caused them harm (Physical, sexual, verbal abuse) are no longer in their lives - and the ones that are can be trusted...this process for a child that is 3 or 4 may last until they are 11 or 12...it takes years of re-programming — but medication is not a factor...if it is - then someone is doing something very wrong...

Kids with RAD are highly intelligent - it’s their brain that has been damaged and must be healed — I suggest you read through the letter first - before jumping onto your comment about medication and prescriptions...

[eccentric]

I’ve been looking online for information about RAD, specifically confussion with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Most of this seems to focus on adoptive and foster children. As in our local case, I think many doctors are more likely to say ASD (not your fault) than RAD (your fault) to the mother. In this case, the mother has her own daughter but anyone who knows the family can see that the child is neglected because of the mother’s parenting beliefs. In this case, I think it is a culture thing (I won’t get more specific.) When I went to an austism forum and asked about the situation, I was ostricized for questioning the ASD diagnosis. It is like questioning global warming...

[BCW]

I’m married to a Special Ed teacher - well certified in Autism - 2 Bach degrees and a Masters - plus alot of certifications...she has come to realize that Autism is over used by both dr’s and schools...re-evaluating the mother/child relationship will determine RAD...now that I know what I know and have become highly familiar with this mental situation...one should not jump on the Autism...and if people become irate — then their parenting skills should be documented and questioned...You’ve done nothing wrong by asking — but those that have something to hide - will yell the loudest...My wife and I never get our feeling hurt when discussing this and making sure others know what is going on...it’s not me that will fail - but the child!