-Post by Foster Mom
Children with disinhibited behavior seek attention from virtually everyone, including strangers. - www.mayoclinic.com
RAD made sense and explained why she told us she "loved us" the first night. Or why she would hold someones hand and a few minutes later proclaim her love for them..after JUST meeting them.
I know that a lot of RAD kid's display rage, tantrums and aggression.
M does not.
She hardly displayed any emotion at all.
Due to her lack of raging, I've always wondering if M really does have reactive attachment disorder. I'm not a therapist or a mind reader, this is just based on my observations and googling skills...and I still don't have a firm conclusion.
In a previos post I mentioned I wanted to highlight how she's grown and flourished by living in a healthy and stable environment. By sharing some of the RAD research I've done, in relation to who M was when she first came to live with us, I hope it will help show how far she truly has come...
Potential Causes for RAD in a Child
- Neglect
- Abuse
- Separation from the primary caregiver
- Changes in the primary caregiver
- Frequent moves and/or placements
- Traumatic experiences
- Maternal addiction - drugs or alcohol
- Young or inexperienced mother with poor parenting skills
M's "Symptoms" 6 Months Ago
*Please note, I feel weird calling it "symptoms" but am going by what my googling skills suggested
*Please note, I feel weird calling it "symptoms" but am going by what my googling skills suggested
- Displaying inappropriate signs of affection towards strangers
- Poor peer relationships
- Watching others closely but not engaging in social interaction (with peers)
- Failing to ask for support or assistance
- Obvious and consistent awkwardness or discomfort
- Masking feelings of anger or distress
- Intense control battles, very bossy
- Manipulative - superficially charming and engaging
- Incessant chatter and/or questions
- Low self-esteem
- Abnormal Eating Habits
- Difficulty showing genuine care and affection. For example, children with reactive attachment disorder may act inappropriately affectionate with strangers while displaying little or no affection towards their parents.
***
Although M has made HUGE improvements we still have some present day struggles. M has hardships and as her foster parents, we struggle in learning how to fully meet her needs in certain areas.
M's "Symptoms" Present DayM's Present Day Improvements
- Displays appropriate signs of affection towards strangers - At the grocery store, M recently busted me for talking to a stranger about avocados...The old guy wasn't amused.
- Good peer relationships
- Engages in social interaction (with peers)
- Displays feelings of anger or distress - We now celebrate Maniac Mondays- It's M's post cry session and sassy 'tude, the day after she visits with Bio Mom. I'm thinking about making it a National Holiday around our house.
M has grown from living in 6 months of stability, structure and out of harms way. I plan on further examining her improvements in extended posts...so stay tuned.
Although M has made HUGE improvements we still have some present day struggles. M has hardships and as her foster parents, we struggle in learning how to fully meet her needs in certain areas.
- Obvious and consistent awkwardness or discomfort
- Intense control battles, very bossy
- Manipulative - superficially charming and engaging
- Incessant chatter and/or questions (Don't all kids ask a million questions?!)
- Low self-esteem
- Failing to ask for support or assistance - Has improved, but indirectly hints she needs help
- Abnormal Eating Habits - Major improvement, but still working on it!
- Difficulty showing genuine care and affection - HUGE improvement!
Precious moments.
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