Early Childhood Intervention
This website is a place for families who are facing
challenges pertaining to their child's development and
growth.
It is a place to find answers and practical
suggestions. That's what Early Intervention Support is all
about.
Whether a family has a child with a challenging behavior,
a disability or developmental issue, childhood is short - it
should be savored and enjoyed.
Learn More:
Ask a Therapist
We understand developmental milestones and the challenges
of Special Needs children. We spend a great deal of time
with families understanding the inner workings of childhood
routines and interactions. Ask us about your child today!
Ask a Therapist
Reactive Attachment Disorder
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Reactive Attachment Disorder
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a serious psychological condition
associated with children who have experienced persistent abuse, abandonment,
neglect, or separation from parents at a very young age.
A child with RAD is so neurologically disrupted that they cannot attach to a
primary caregiver or go through the normal developmental processes. These
children cannot establish positive relationships with other people. RAD may
result in learning problems, social problems, mental problems and failed
personal, and interpersonal relationships.
Symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder
- A low self-esteem, needy, clingy, or pseudo-independent
behavior
- An inability to deal with stress and adversity,
depression, apathy
- Susceptibility to chronic illness
- Obsession with food hordes, gorges, refuses to eat, eats
strange things, hides food
- Lacks control
- Inability to develop and maintain friendships
- Alienation from parents, caregivers, and other authority
figures
- Aggression and violence
- Difficulty with genuine trust, intimacy, and affection
- Lack of empathy, compassion, and remorse
- Negative, hopeless, pessimistic view of self, family and
society
- Behavior problems at school, difficulty learning
The Causes of Attachment Disorders
Here are a few of the reasons a child may not be able to
establish successful attachment relationships:
- Emotional neglect
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Separation from primary caregiver
- Changes in primary caregiver
- Traumatic experiences such as death of parent or
disaster
- Maternal depression
- Maternal use of drugs or alcohol
- Undiagnosed, isolating painful illness such as colic or
ear infections
How to Help a Child with Attachment DisorderStrong
relationships with relatives, teachers, and childcare providers can help the
child develop the ability to form healthy attachments. The actual treatment
depends on the child and their particular circumstances. The child must be in an
environment where he or she feels safe and can learn to trust. Its helpful to
remember ways to communicate than can build the necessary level of trust. For
example, a baby or young child will follow your visual cues. Its important to
make eye contact, have a positive facial expression, posture, and body
movements. In addition, the tone of voice you use, your speech rhythm, rate, and
intensity are ways to communicate care and understanding.
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Learn More About Early Intervention
Therapy Options
Thankfully, there are many ways to deal with childhood developmental
delays and behaviors. These include in-home services, outpatient (you take
your child to a clinic), inpatient (following injury or surgery) and school
based services. Which type of therapy should you choose?
Visit our Therapy Options
area to learn more.
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