Reactive Attachment Disorder

OM · 09-08-2012 09:56

Have you ever had any experience in dealing with Reactive Attachment Disorder? As a mother my first instinct is to want to nurture and cuddle a child etc, which isn't something a child with this disorder would necessarily want or respond to. Or they may be over clingy instead which isn't great either.

Do you have any great tips that may be useful for using with a young baby/toddler with this problem?

OM · 10-08-2012 17:29

Anyone?

**MinnieMouse81** · 10-08-2012 17:32

I have professional experience and not personal. Is there a specific question you have?

OM · 10-08-2012 17:38

Originally Posted by MinnieMouse81

I have professional experience and not personal. Is there a specific question you have?

Professional experience is good, I am after tips on what you could do with a child that has this. What are the difficulties you faced and how you overcame them (if you did).

**WorkingClassMum** · 10-08-2012 17:59

I have no professional experience but lots and lots of personal experience.

There are two ppf kids now in my family who both have RAD.

**WorkingClassMum** · 10-08-2012 18:08

RAD kids can seem to be extremely over affectionate or even very aloof. They can seem to have ODD and even symptoms like ADD.

Depending on circumstances that lead to the disorder their affection can almost seem inappropriate. Normal social boundries need to be taught.

One child within my family needed to be taught to not hug everyone and to not be in people's faces, whereas the younger child needed to be encouraged to allow anyone to touch them. We struck a bargain very early that seeing I wanted a big hug and they didn't want a hug then we'd both settle for half a hug

and 8 years later I still get my half a hug and I'm the only person except for their primary career to be afforded that honor.

Seeing that the R is for reactive, it can go both ways, reactive as in it's like PTSD and reactive in as much as the reaction are not always predictive. Mssg me if you'd like more info

**MinnieMouse81** · 10-08-2012 20:24

Kids with reactive attachment disorder have not developed relationship templates that 'securely' attached kids have. That us, kids whose caregivers are loving, consistent and responsive teach their kids that they are loveable and that adults will meet their needs. They also show a clear preference for the caregivers whom they have primary attachment relationships with. I would look up Daniel Hughes for examples if attachment parenting. It's hard to provide direct advice without the behaviors being more specific. Good luck!