Home » Partners & Parents » Adoptive Parenting » Background that Causes RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder)

Background that Causes RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder)

© Susan Ward

What do I need to know about my child's background to help me identify the potential for RAD?

The following questions, to be asked of your agency or facilitator, relate to your child's background and behavior. Being subjected to inadequate caregiving and/or behavior that is significantly less developed or overly violent compared to that of her peers may indicate a potential for her to have RAD.

-How many times has this child been moved?

-What abuse has this child been subjected to?

-What neglect has this child been subjected to?

-What are the circumstances that brought this child out of her birth family?

-How does her behavior compare to peers?

-How do her friendships compare to peers?

-How does this child respond to re-direction?

-How does this child respond to consequences imposed due to misbehaviors?

-How quickly does this child "swing" back to normal after a misdeed?

-How does this child interact with strangers?

-How does this child interact with primary caregivers?

-How does this child treat stuffed animals and dolls?

This is an excert from a booklet, "Older Child Adoption: What About RAD?" To read more about the booklet, go to Inexpensive Booklets

The copyright of the article Background that Causes RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) in Adoptive Parenting is owned by Susan Ward. Permission to republish Background that Causes RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.