[ProspectiveSingleMom]

In doing research on RAD, I have read about the two main types -- inhibited and disinhibited. The girl I am hoping to adopt (a 12-year-old who I worked with at a previous job) seems to have some traits of both types. Is this common, or even possible? From what I saw of her behavior on a locked psychiatric unit, she had very poor social skills and difficulty connecting with peers (she basically annoyed them) and showed no empathy, but she did make an effort to socialize. In fact, her "efforts" were what annoyed her peers (she tended to butt in on conversations and monolopolize group discussions, though she didn't seem to realize this.) She was hospitalized due to self-harm threats but only exhibited very minor self-harm behaviors that were attention-seeking (i.e. she would scratch her arm so lightly it didn't even bleed, then ask for the nurse). Her main behavior was anger outbursts that occurred almost nightly, during which she would scream at the top of her lungs, sometimes for hours. This behavior also seemed to be attention-seeking to a point, but it was obvious that her feelings of rage were genuine. Indeed, the attention-seeking occurred first, and then when she didn't get enough attention she would start raging. She does not have any history of physical aggression. From what I have found in my research, I feel that the RAD diagnosis is accurate for her, and she also does not have any comorbid conditions (which I realize is rare). Does anyone else have a child whose symptoms are similar to these?

[Lorraine123]

The two types, inhibited and disinhibited, are just how the kids interact with others. Inhibited RAD is when the children are withdrawn. Disinhibited RAD is when the child is indiscriminately social (overly familiar with stangers). My daughter is disinhibited. She will approach anyone without regard to her safety. She uses her charm on strangers to control them. She only shows her angry side around family or close friends that she can't charm.

Liz Randolph breaks RAD down into four sub-types. Get her book "Children Who Shock and Surprise". She talks about the sub-types that she believes in. Its very interesting.

And - yes, I think children can overlap types.

[ProspectiveSingleMom]

Thanks for the info. I guess I was just a little unsure because this girl is not "charming" at all, but then maybe it's just that she tries to be charming and isn't very good at it. She's not at all shy about talking to people she doesn't know, and she has no self-preservation insticts as far as being able to tell when to leave somone alone because they're dangerous. I did find something about the 4 types, so I'll look more into that. I'll also check into the book you mentioned. Thanks again.