Reactive Attachment and Conduct disorders Flashcards
what is reactive attachment disorder
markedly disturbed and developmentally inappropriate social relatedness in most contexts, that begins before the age of five and is associated with grossly pathological care
what constitutes grossly pathological care - causing RAD
persistent disregard for the childs emotional needs for comfort, stimulation and affection
persistent disregard for the childs physical needs
repeated changes of primary care givers
what is the main feature of RAD
difficulty forming lasting, loving and intimate relationships
what are the physical signs of RAD
malnutrition, growth delay, evidence of physical abuse, vitamin deficiencies, infectious diseases
what is the prevelance of RAD
1% of all children, 20% in child in care system
children orphaned young have high chance of getting it
is remission of RAD possible
yes if caught very early and child experiences an appropriately supportive environment
what are the subtypes of RAD
inhibited and disinhibited
what is inhibited RAD
children who continually fail to initiate ans respond to social interaction in a developmentally appropriate way
avoiding interactions, resisting comforting, hypervigilant or highly amivalent
child does no seek comfort in times of threat, stress, or alarm
what are the features of disinhibited RAD
child has inability to display appropriate selective attachments
more enduring than inhibited RAD
e.g. child who displays familiarity with strangers, indiscriminate sociability or lack of selectivity in attachment figure
why is attachment importance
develops conscience- empathy become self reliant- self esteem think logically- solve problems cope with frustration and stress handle fear or threat- makes you less impulsive emotion regulation development of relationships- trust
what must parents do to ensure a secure attachment
imagine what child is going through and respond appropriately
what is attachment disorder commonly the pre-cursor of
personality disorder
what are the potential causes for RAD
frequent changes in primary care giver extended separation frequent moves/ foster placements traumatic experiences young/ inexperienced mother with poor skills neglect abuse Autism spectrum disease
what is the model behind RAD
alien self- When a child has a problem the adult (attachment figure) will create in their mind what the child is feeling, if they can do this can respond to child in appropriate way
Parent is unable to be reciprocal to the child so the child gets incredibly confused, doesn’t know what is going on
Child feels that they are not worth the responses they are not getting, low self esteem, alien self
Their sense of self is their response to repetitive neglect
what symptoms in very young children should raise urgent safeguarding concerns and might suggest RAD
persistent and unexplained colic poor eye contact, difficulty tracking no reciprocal smile response delayed gross motor skill development difficulty being comforted resists affection and cuddling from caregiver/parent appear stiff, display tactile defensiveness poor sucking response when eating
