what is RAD and it's symptoms, what are some causes of RAD and what can can be done to help
Adopted children, or biological children who were neglected early in life or not nurtured enough in their biological or foster placements can seem like difficult or cold children. The temper they can display or the lack of emotion can be troubling to those who are trying to love them. RAD, or reactive attachment disorder, is a daunting diagnosis but it is one that can be helped with the proper care.
The symptoms of RAD include:
•Intense control battles, very bossy and argumentative; defiance and anger
•Resists affection on parental terms
•Lack of eye contact, especially with parents - will look into your eyes when lying
•Manipulative - superficially charming and engaging
•Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers
•Poor peer relationships
•Steals
•Lies about the obvious
•Lack of conscience - shows no remorse
•Destructive to property, self and/or others
•Lack of impulse control
•Hypervigilant/Hyperactive
•Learning lags/delays
•Speech and language problems
•Incessant chatter and/or questions
•Inappropriately demanding and/or clingy
•Food issues - hordes, gorges, refuses to eat, eats strange things, hides food
•Fascinated with fire, blood, gore, weapons, evil
•Very concerned about tiny hurts but brushes off big hurts
•Parents appear hostile and angry
•The child was neglected and/or physically abused in the first three years of life
Don't feel daunted by this list, not all children who are in foster care will have RAD, and conversely just because your child shows a symptoms does not mean you have a RAD child. There is much more to this diagnosis and your therapist can delve deeper into your child's history and see if the diagnosis is one that fits your situation.
RAD can begin as early as infancy if the needs of the infant are not met; needs such as proper bonding when feeding, diaper changes, stimulation are some of the infant needs. Older children who are exposed to abuse (sexual, emotional or physical) can also develop RAD because of the inability to have trust in those who are supposed to be caring for them.
Visit the RAD website for much more information about reactive attachment disorder and its causes and diagnosis. Currently there is no medication to "cure" RAD, but medications can be given to help with the outbursts of anger and tantrums that a RAD child will display. There are also several therapies available to gain the trust of a RAD child through thorough nurturing techniques. These therapies need to be given and taught by a licensed therapist for them to be effective for your RAD child.
If you feel like you have been targeted by your RAD child, and you are the main caregiver take heart; the emotion directed at you can simply be because you are beginning to crack their protective shell and they are internally rebelling against is for fear of being hurt again by a caretaker.
Yes, a RAD diagnosis is a daunting one and can make you feel like the worst parent in the world, but with much love and proper nurturing your RAD child can learn to live a normal life.
