What is Reactive Attachment Disorder and its causes?
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is usually the result of a disruption of or trauma to the attachment process such as a history of physical or sexual abuse, neglect and/or frequent change in caregivers within the first three years of a child’s life. Sometimes other factors can contribute to the break in attachment as listed in the box below. * Separation of a child and attachment figure due to adoption * Death of a parent * Hospitalization of a child or caregiver * Frequent moves/multiple changes in caregiver * Emotionally unavailable caregiver due to immaturity or mental or physical illness * Abuse and/or neglect of the child * Inconsolable chronic pain * Parental drug use/alcohol abuse * Birth/adoption of subsequent siblings Younger children removed from their parent(s) are at great risk as they and their siblings are frequently placed in a multitude of foster homes before they are considered for adoption thus creating a downhill spiral. The Symptoms of RAD * Lack of eye contact *
