There are many reasons a child may develop an attachment disorder. Depending upon their individual circumstances they may develop the disorder in a spectrum of levels of disability. Reactive Attachment Disorder has only recently really become a mainstream diagnosis that people are familiar. More often then not it will be recognized in children who have been adopted or institutionalized and more difficultly diagnosied in birth children. Parents of birth children often feel stigmatized by the diagnosis but there are many reasons a child may develop RAD which are no one's blame.
Some parents may go years before finding out their child has an attachment disorder but guilt will only hold you back. Move forward and develop your skills and help your child begin to heal and learn new coping skills. It is never to late and there is always hope.
If I had given up hope at the many times professionals made that comment about my children I wouldn't have the two wonderful, productive and successful young adults I have today. That doesn't mean the journey wasn't difficult. There is no quick fix; it is a long and hard journey. Enjoy the progress and the set backs along the journey without focusing on the destination and it maybe a happy journey indeed.
The roots of Attachment Disorder are in infancy and is defined as a disorder that begins before the age of 5. Many factors many increase the chances of a child developing Reactive Attachment Disorder. Here are some:
Living in an orphange or institution
Long-term Hospitalization or sever medical treatment, even sever colic can interfer with a babies ability to bond
Post-partum depression
Parents with substance abuse, mental illness or anger management issues
Multiple foster placements or constant change in caregivers
Sever abuse or neglect; physical, sexual or emotional abuse
Extreme Poverty with unmet needs
Inexperienced Parents without the skills to bond with their baby
Death of parents or primary caregivers
Forced removal from an abusive or neglectful home
Significant family trauma including divorce, death of a family member, or family members abscence due to illness
A child should be evaluated and diagnosed by a professional as Reactive Attachment Disorder is a DSMIV Diagnosis. Seek professional consultation for a treatment strategy as soon as possible. There are many more resources available now then there were a decade ago and research continues to expand. Learn all you can to bond with a child and don't be afraid to ask for help. Parenting children with RAD can be very challenging as with any disability.
Every child and every family is unique. A child is born with its own temperment and disposition. What may create a long-term problem for one child may be less damaging to another child. Most importantly, know matter how hard it is, parents must bond with their child. A parents own difficulties or stress may cause them to pull away and we must be fully capable of meeting our own needs so we are able to meet the needs of our children.
