[yrn2Bamom]

Hi everyone - I am looking at possibly adopting a child who is diagnosed with RAD. The child is a 10 yr old girl. Says that she currently has a strong bond with foster parents. I guess the rad comes in with strangers. She knows no personal space. She can also act out at school at times. It appears that she is on meds, I assume for RAD as there is no other diagnoses. But the meds are for ADHD, depression, and a psychotic drug. Is this normal for rad? She was in a behavioral center for a week before her current placement. Any advice or experience you have would be appreciated. Thanks, Angie

[mdaisyq]

Typically, medications are not given for RAD but rather for behaviors associated with RAD and it sounds like this child is on meds for behaviors. Many times ADHD and RAD go together and/or RAD can be mis-diagnosed as ADHD. I can tell you from personal experience that ADHD meds have helped our RAD daughter, though.

If a child has been diagnosed with RAD I would carefully question the report about the bonding with the foster mother you were given - children with RAD have the inability to bond with significant caregivers - that is the definition of RAD.

Melissa N.

[slightx]

Our RAD adopted daughter is also on meds associated with ADHD and they do improve the behaviors, but they don't fix attachment. Give her an hour of your undivided attention and she'd tell me she has a strong bond with you, too! LOL

My daughter has never met a stranger.

[mdaisyq]

That has got to be the best line I have ever read regarding a RAD kid.

"My daughter has never met a stranger."

Melissa N.

[txwannabemom]

My daughter is more wary of strange dogs than she is of homeless people.
The ADHD meds do help her esp. at school.