Pediatric Behavioral Health Resources, LLC
103 Hwy 13 South
Waverly, TN 37185
www.pediatricbehavior.com
 
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Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a term used to describe markedly disturbed behaviors in social relatedness in most contexts diagnosed in a child before the age of 5. The child must also have been exposed to pathological care which might include frequent changes in foster care placement, institutionalization, physical or sexual abuse, extreme neglect, frequent hospitalizations or illnesses, the physical or emotional absence of the primary caregiver, or inconsistency in parenting due to such issues as drug or alcohol abuse.

Typically, a child with attachment disorder either:

  • Shows persistent failure to initiate or respond in a developmentally appropriate way in social situations manifested by being excessively inhibited, hypervigalant, or ambivalent. Or, the child:
  • Shows diffuse attachments as manifested by indiscriminant sociability with marked inability to exhibit appropriate selective attachments. In other words, the child might go up to a complete stranger and give them a hug, or turn to a non-primary caregiver when needing comfort.

Although the DSM-IV does not list other types of manifestation of behaviors, current research suggests there are many different subtypes of Reactive Attachment Disorder. To learn more about these subtypes and other information on attachment disorders, please visit my RAD center @ http://www.pediatricbehavior.com/RADCenter.htm.