[Guitarmom]

when they grow up? Is this a fairly new "disorder",or are there any studies on what happens to RAd kids as adults?
I'm guessing perhaps they're on the streets,in prison, or perhaps functioning minimally,maybe raising their own kids to have issues of their own.
Just wondering, as I really haven't heard of RAD until the past few years.
thanks,
Amy

[lucyjoy]

It's been around. The adults are often diagnosed as having borderline or antisocial personality disorder. Many are in prison. Serial killers often have backgrounds that would indicate they had RAD in childhood as well.

Met a 60 year old woman at a conference this summer that has RAD. She does function in society but she would tell you it takes work and that she did leave a trail of victims behind her.

[lucyjoy]

Unhealed, yes-I do believe many will end up in prison.

Research the backgrounds of serial killers and those in prison. Look at their backgrounds.

This does not mean I believe all RAD kids will be serial killers. I believe there is great potential for many RAD kids to heal with appropriate intervention. There are also ones who don't heal that are more self destructive then society destructive.

[T-N-T]

Rad is not a new disorder. It has been around as long as children have been abused and neglected during the first few years of life.

What is new is that the psych community is now starting to regard it as a disorder.

However, there is still much debate as to how it is to be treated if it truely can be.

As to being rare, RAD like most other diorders are on a continum. There are different degrees of this disorder. One child may exhibit 25% of the charateristics while another 75% and yet another 100%.

I am the parent of two non-sibling boys adopted through the State who have both been dx with reactive attachment disorder.

Their futures are uncertain, but to a degree so are all of ours.

RAD adults can function in society. They may not be able to form relationships like those of us who call ourselves normal but they can live with their disorder.

The trouble is that when RAD goes unnoticed and untreated, bad things can happen for all.

A child without empathy that turns into an adult without empathy is a recipe for trouble.

I would also be less concerned with studies and statistics and focus more on the individual concern you have.

My concern is for my RAD children and what support I can give them that will hopefully allow them to overcome their problems or live with their disorder and function in society.

This begins with a well informed parent. Research Rad and find out for yourself what steps you can take now to keep the worst case senarios from occuring.

[angelkisses0102]

Biological kids can and do have RAD/AD as well.

[crick]

I never heard of RAD until we took our foster care classes...but it's not new. Just new to a lot of us here or in the mental health field.

[molly1958]

I am new to this forum/website and I have been dealing with RAD for quite awhile. My Son is showing multiple signs of RAD and as he gets older it seems more signs show up. He can be very diffucult to deal with at times. You never know what his mood will be. He lies, steals, manipulates. He can be very sweet at times but usually it is only when he wants something. Sometimes I don't know how to deal with him. I love my Son very much and I have been looking for a Therapist who has dealt with this type of child. Usually insurance is a major issue and it is very expensive. He is aware of his moods and sometimes he tells me his impulses overwhelm him.
I don't know what will happen to him when he is an adult. I have him in a very good school hoping that he will get a good education but I have my doubts as to what will happen when he graduates. I can honestly say that it hasn't gotten any easier as he has gotten older. I just keep my faith and hope that I will find a good Doctor for him soon.

[crick]

Molly...one of our members here has an extensive list for pretty much every state with therapists experienced in RAD/Attachment.

Her name is Zebramom and you can send her a private message; hopefully she'll have someone in your area.