LIVING WITH RAD

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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Trauma and Attachment in Children

Posted by Brenda at 10:29 PM

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Find an Attachment Therapist

RADkid recommendations
Attach members
Nancy Thomas suggested therapists

Symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder (as listed by Mayo Clinic)

"Reactive attachment disorder is broken into two types — inhibited and disinhibited. While some children have signs and symptoms of just one type, many children have both.

Inhibited type:
In inhibited reactive attachment disorder, children shun relationships and attachments to virtually everyone. This may happen when a baby never has the chance to develop an attachment to any caregiver.
Signs and symptoms of the inhibited type may include:
Resisting affection from parents or caregivers
Avoiding eye contact
Appearing to seek contact but then turning away
Difficulty being comforted
Preferring to play alone
Avoiding physical contact
Failing to initiate contact with others
Appearing to be on guard or wary
Engaging in self-soothing behavior

Disinhibited type:
In disinhibited reactive attachment disorder, children form inappropriate and shallow attachments to virtually everyone, including strangers. This may happen when a baby has multiple caregivers or frequent changes in caregivers.
Signs and symptoms of the disinhibited type may include:
Readily going to strangers, rather than showing stranger anxiety
Seeking comfort from strangers
Exaggerating needs for help doing tasks
Inappropriately childish behavior
Appearing anxious
A word of caution: Not all experts agree on the signs and symptoms of reactive attachment disorder. Some attachment therapists use checklists with numerous nonspecific signs and symptoms that go well beyond what the American Psychiatric Association includes in its definition of the disorder. Be cautious when trying to interpret checklists that include such symptoms as lack of eye contact, rage, aggression, lying, stealing, hoarding food, an apparent lack of a conscience, nonstop chatter, and a desire to wield control. These nonspecific symptoms are difficult to apply to any one diagnosis."

My own two children present their cases of RAD very differently from one another. A professional diagnosis is necessary as other disorders share some of the symptoms. If you are frustrated because your child has worked with a variety of therapists and a variety of treatments with no change maybe you should have him/her checked for RAD with an experienced Attachment Therapist. There is help. You are not alone.

Disclaimer:

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a profound disturbance. If you suspect your child may have RAD please seek the professional counsel of an attachment therapist. Above you will find links that will hopefully help you find an attachment therapist. This blog is just my thoughts and ideas as an adoptive mom. I do not know your child and cannot be responsible for results from trying any ideas you find on this blog.

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One can live in the shadow of an idea without grasping it.
Elizabeth Bowen

Favorite Books About RAD

Attaching in Adoption
Change Your Brain Change Your Life
Dandelion On My Pillow Butcher Knife Beneath
The Miracle Worker
When Love Is Not Enough

Websites on Reactive Attachment Disorder

Beyond Consequences
Center 4 Family Development
My Website for mom's about taking care of yourself
Nancy Thomas Parenting
RadKids
The Attachment Disorder Site
Trauma Adoption

Blogs from mom's dealing with RAD/Adoption issues

Attaching Hearts
Center 4 Family Development Blog
Crawford Life & Times
Eyes Opened Wider
Family Gregg
Finding Our Way to Family
Gold to Refine
Leaders In Learning
Life In The Crazy House
My Radical Family
Neither Here Nor There
Pieces From Me
Raising RAD Kids
Rancho Chico
Sanity Searcher
Stellar Parenting
Stubborn Fish Tales
The Accidental Mommy
Watching the Waters
We May Not Have It All Together, But Together We Have It All
Welcome To My Brain

Nicnames to Identify Family Members

Taz, youngest son, 16, healing from RAD, TAZ describes his movement. He is a very intelligent young man. He is a sophmore in high school. He loves to read and is deeply interested in American history.
Teddy Bear, son 18, with RAD, I used to have him nick named Bear, but have changed it to Teddy Bear as he has begun to heal. He is a Senior in high school. He is very artistic. He is really hoping to enlist in the army.
Fish, son, 18, who swims competitively, is also a senior in high school. He is looking at colleges and praying about becoming a pastor.
Dancer is youngest daughter, 22, who is a very good dancer, She is a Senior in college. She is majoring in sociolgy.
Eagle, our oldest daughter, 25, is married to a wonderful young man and lives away from the area.
Hubby is Hubby