What is Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)?
Leanne specializes in helping adolescents with RAD and other attachment, relationship issues.
Reactive Attachment Disorder is a condition in which individuals struggle to form authentic and loving relationships. Often, they do not trust anyone other than themselves to provide for their needs and safety. Reactive Attachment Disorder can be the result of disruptions, abnormalities and/or trauma during the first few years of life.
Common Causes:
Abuse/Neglect in the first three years of life
Multiple primary caregivers
Separation from birthmother due to hospitalization, incubator, etc.
Many placements in the foster care system
Unresolved pain — ear infections, colic, etc.
In-utero or post-natal maternal alcohol/drug use
In-utero or post-natal maternal depression
In-utero or post-natal lack of attunement between mother and child
Common Symptoms In Infants:
Sensitivity to Touch
Poor Eye Contact
Constant Crying/Whining
Rage
No Reciprocal Response
Indifference to Others
Feeding Problems
Common Symptoms In Children & Adolescents:
Superficially Charming and Engaging
Indiscriminately Affectionate with Strangers
Not Affectionate on Parents' Terms
Extreme Control Issues
Lack of Cause and Effect Thinking
Indifferent to Consequences
Lying about the Obvious
Stealing
Lack of Empathy
Lack of Conscience Development
Lack of Eye Contact on Parental Terms
Destructive to Self, Others, Animals and Property
No Impulse Control
Unusual Eating and Sleeping Patterns
Unsuccessful Peer Relationships
Incessant Chatter or Persistent Nonsense Questions
Very Demanding
Short Attention Span
Unusual Speech Patterns (Mumbling, robotic speech, talking very softly)
Constant Movement
Reactive Attachment Disorder is a condition in which individuals struggle to form authentic and loving relationships. Often, they do not trust anyone other than themselves to provide for their needs and safety. Reactive Attachment Disorder can be the result of disruptions, abnormalities and/or trauma during the first few years of life.
Common Causes:
Abuse/Neglect in the first three years of life
Multiple primary caregivers
Separation from birthmother due to hospitalization, incubator, etc.
Many placements in the foster care system
Unresolved pain — ear infections, colic, etc.
In-utero or post-natal maternal alcohol/drug use
In-utero or post-natal maternal depression
In-utero or post-natal lack of attunement between mother and child
Common Symptoms In Infants:
Sensitivity to Touch
Poor Eye Contact
Constant Crying/Whining
Rage
No Reciprocal Response
Indifference to Others
Feeding Problems
Common Symptoms In Children & Adolescents:
Superficially Charming and Engaging
Indiscriminately Affectionate with Strangers
Not Affectionate on Parents' Terms
Extreme Control Issues
Lack of Cause and Effect Thinking
Indifferent to Consequences
Lying about the Obvious
Stealing
Lack of Empathy
Lack of Conscience Development
Lack of Eye Contact on Parental Terms
Destructive to Self, Others, Animals and Property
No Impulse Control
Unusual Eating and Sleeping Patterns
Unsuccessful Peer Relationships
Incessant Chatter or Persistent Nonsense Questions
Very Demanding
Short Attention Span
Unusual Speech Patterns (Mumbling, robotic speech, talking very softly)
Constant Movement
