Children with neglectful or traumatic events during their first few years, including kids who were adopted, are at risk of attachment and bonding difficulties or even RAD (reactive attachment disorder). But, like most mental health issues, there's no one-size-fits-all formula for treatment. In general, it's thought that kids with attachment issues or RAD should be treated by a trained attachment therapist, with the therapy starting at as young an age as possible.

The RAD diagnosis is fairly new however. Questions and misunderstandings still swirl around what reactive attachment disorder is, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it.

Even though it's listed in the DSM IV, is it a verifiable diagnosis? How is it possible that kids might be violent and manipulative at home, but sweet and charming with others? Why do some counselors and therapists mis diagnose RAD kids as having ADHD or bipolar? Why does it take specialized therapy to treat children and teens diagnosed with RAD? Isn't it just a parenting issue? And, if parents do have a child diagnosed with RAD, why are there only limited resources available?

While professionals debate these questions, parents just want help! What about you? Is your child well attached? What helped or hindered your child's attachment to you, or your attachment to your child? If you've completed attachment therapy, was it effective? What questions do you have? What do you want to share?

Posted By: Lori S