Adopting a child can be one of the greatest gifts a family can experience. The active decision to take a child out of foster care or out of a dire situation and give them unlimited support and love can dramatically change this child’s life forever. In the United States, approximately one out 25 families have adopted a child, 40% of adoptions are from the U.S. foster care system and the United States adopts more children than any other country.
Adopting a child does come with challenges, as the child must adapt to his/her new home, new family or even a new country. These challenges can be greater if the child is of a different race, nationality, older age or if the child is adopted into a single parent family household. The majority of adoptive children have very positive results and grow up to be successful and happy people however many parents worry when they began the adoption process if their adoptive child will develop normally. It is common for parents to ask themselves if they will love their child or if their child will love them back? Will their child develop extreme behavior problems such as reactive attachment disorder (RAD)? Will their child be comfortable in their family or will their child succeed? Will their child develop mental health disorders?
Definition of Reactive Attachment Disorder
Attachment refers to the physical, psychological and even biological bond that occurs between a child and their primary caretakers such as the mother and father. For the baby, attachment begins while in utero when nourishment is needed from the mother’s placenta. For the mother, attachment begins immediately after birth. The attachment bond can become stronger throughout infancy and childhood with more physical touch and comfort. Strong emotional and physical attachment to a parent is important for the children to develop so they can have secure relationships in adulthood. For many adopted children, their attachment bond is broken, sometimes multiple times, as they are passed around foster care and finally settle into their permanent adoptive family. This bond can be reformed over time with the proper physical and emotional care.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, (DSM-5) symptoms of reactive attachment disorder (RAD) must be evident before five years of age and the child must have a developmental age of at least nine months. The child often shows consistent emotionally withdrawn behavior towards caregivers; specifically, he/she minimally responds or seeks comfort when he/she is emotionally distressed. The second criterion includes a limited positive effect, episodes of unexplained irritability, sadness or emotional turmoil during non-threatening interactions with caregivers and minimal social or emotional responsiveness to others. The third criterion is characterized by a pattern of insufficient care such as neglect, physical or sexual abuse, or repeated changes between primary caregivers.
Signs and Symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder
- Aversion to touch and physical attention: The child does not like to be held or hugged and instead may squirm away.
- Being in control: The child often needs to be in control and will throw excessive temper tantrums, and will be disobedient, defiant and argumentative.
- Lack of emotion during punishment: When a child is asked to go on time out they are often relieved they can be alone and punishment shows them reinforcement that they are “unwanted.”
- Inappropriate affection: The child will often be inappropriately affectionate towards strangers but will show no signs of affection towards their primary caregiver.
Warnings Signs of Insecure Attachment
Insecure attachment is on the mild side of the spectrum for attachment disorders whereas RAD is more serious. Recognizing early signs of attachment problems and seeking action to repair this behavior can prevent reactive attachment disorder. The following are warning signs of insecure attachment:
- Failure to engage in play or games with others
- Failure to reach out when being picked up by a caregiver
- Failure to smile
- Watching others closely but not engaging in social interaction
- Failure to ask for help or support
- Avoids eye contact
- Cries inconsolably
- Spends ample time rocking or comforting themselves or talking to themselves
- Does not react when left alone by a primary caregiver
Treatment for Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
Specific parenting patterns in conjunction with professional psychological therapy are the first-line approach to helping a child cope with attachment disorders. The three therapeutic ingredients for a child to develop new patterns of emotional attachment are security, stability and sensitivity. The primary caregiver must practice extreme patience and give ample time for the child to express his or her emotions. Boundaries must be set but in a loving and empathetic fashion. A stable and repetitive everyday routine must be practiced for the child to regain trust and normalcy in their life. Waking up at the same time every day, eating breakfast, practicing the same activities or going to school while keeping the same evening and dinner routine is crucial to ensure stability in the child’s life.
The primary caregiver must practice love and sensitivity even when the child acts out. It is important to attend to the child’s needs in the most sensitive manner possible. This process may take a very long time, even years, however keeping a solid foundation of these three therapeutic ingredients will lead to a transition in emotions and behavior in the child. Play therapy is the most proven approach used by therapists for children with RAD. This approach should take place in front of the primary caregivers to allow the child to express his/her needs, anxieties and fears through the context of play.
RAD Treatment at Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program
If you have adopted a child who has been diagnosed with RAD, or you want to assess them for the condition, contact Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program. We have evidence-based and experiential treatment that can help your child cope.