Reactive Attachement Disorder

I just listened to this radio broadcast from Focus on the Family in which they discussed Reactive Attatchment Disorder in adpoted kids.  Some of it brought back memories that I haven't thought about for a long time about the begining of our adoption process.  It is a very good program that give you a window in to raising a child with RAD, something with which we have personal experience.  There was one phrase that just leaped out at me, "You can not love these kids healthy."  It is so true, but love is the fuel that gets you through the hard work and trust me it can be very hard work.  Some of the stories that were told were so horrible that the fact that RAD can be dealt with sort of gets lost in the piece.  Like I said, it takes work, but what child doesn't, but in most cases RAD can be treated with proper therapy, lots of love, an amazing amount of patience and dedication.  Giveing a home to a child is an amazing gift, giveng a child their life back is even greater.

Please don't let this story scare you, but listen to it with an open heart.

Also, here is another great broadcast.  When one of the adoptive mothers talks about waiting nervously to meet her new daughter and then feeling an imediate love for her child, it reminded me so much of when we met Rachel and Nicholas that I just cried.  There is also a great section on transracial adoption.  Enjoy!

Comments

[wendy]

howdy. it took some work to find you, but i'm so glad i did. i couldn't make it through the clips without sobbing so i had to stop. i hope to be able to adopt when satch is older and can truly be involved in the process. i was quite interested in the podcast on rad, but saw dr. dobson and got freaked out because... isn't he the author of "the strong-willed child" in which he recommends spanking with a paddle and then hanging it on the wall as a reminder? a family friend has had issues with an adopted child and rad and i want to learn more about it, but from a kinder a gentler soul than one whom advocates hitting.
much love,
wendy aka satchel's mama

[Kian]

I have three adopted children who are now 13, 10 and 9. We have had so so so many problems with our eldest (adopted when he was 18 months old) and yet I could never go back and undo his adoption. That video made me cry. It's true, and it's so hard (for both) and... thank you for posting it. I needed to see that today.