Parenting a Child with RAD In some cases, a mental health disorder or substance use disorder in the parent prevents the child from attaching and needs to be addressed. RAD symptoms can go away or become less prominent if the child’s environment becomes more nurturing and supportive.

Treatment for reactive attachment disorder usually involves a combination of therapy, counseling, and parenting education, designed to ensure that your child has a safe living environment, improves their peer relationships, and develops positive interactions with you, their parents or caregivers.

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a condition in which an infant or young child does not form a secure, healthy emotional bond with his or her primary caretakers (parental figures). Children with RAD often have trouble managing their emotions. They struggle to form meaningful connections with other people.

DSM-5 ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) are rare disorders sharing social difficulties with autism.

Minnis and colleagues [11] conducted the first epidemiological study focussing on the prevalence of RAD in the general population and found a prevalence of 1.4%. With such a high prevalence of RAD in the general population, it is imperative to understand the additional needs of these children.

“Approximately 2% of the U.S. population is adopted, and between 50% and 80% of such children suffer from attachment disorder symptoms, because of early maltreatment in the form of neglect and abuse…Moreover, Lyons-Ruth and Jacobvitz (1999) along with Greenberg (1999) indicate that such youngsters are likely to develop …

Some children have difficulties bonding with others. In extreme cases, these children may appear sad, listless, and withdrawn. They may show little or no interest in toys, playing, or interacting with peers.

Generally beginning before the age of 5, reactive attachment disorder is a condition that lasts a lifetime. However, children and adolescents who have reactive attachment disorder are able to learn to develop stable and healthier relationships with caregivers and parents through an effective treatment program.

It is differentiated from pervasive developmental disorder or developmental delay and from possibly comorbid conditions such as intellectual disability, all of which can affect attachment behavior….

The disorders have similar patterns of insufficient care during early development, but those diagnosed with disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED) appear more outgoing, as compared to the internalizing, withdrawn behavior, and depressive symptoms present in RAD.

Children with autism and their parents are, however, known to be at high risk of developing insecure attachment patterns. Clinical assessments based on formulation may be helpful in these cases, as they include consideration of developmental and relational factors contributing to symptom presentation.