Reactive Attachment Disorder

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 1, 2024.

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What is reactive attachment disorder?

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) means your child has trouble forming bonds with people who take care of him or her. A child may become frightened and frustrated if no one responds to his or her needs, or if response is inconsistent. Your child may not be able to trust that he or she is safe and will be given what he or she needs. Your child may not form bonds with his or her parents or other caregivers he or she sees regularly. Your child may instead be openly affectionate or cling to strangers but not respond to known people.

What are the signs of RAD?

Signs of RAD develop fully by the time a child is 5 years old. You may start to notice signs when your child is about 1 year of age. As he or she gets older, you may notice the following:

Not responding to someone who tries to talk to or play with him or her
Not being easy to comfort, or not seeking comfort from a caregiver
Being open with or seeking attention or comfort from strangers, or not being afraid of strangers
Trouble understanding emotions of others
Listlessness, or looking sad
Acting frightened or watchful
Lack of fear when separated from a regular caregiver
Taking risks or doing dangerous things such as running into traffic
Being destructive or lying often

What increases my child's risk for RAD?

Physical or emotional abuse or neglect
Adoption, or lack of care at an institution such as a foster home or hospital
Frequent changes in caregivers, or loss of a caregiver he or she was close to
Postpartum depression or mental illness in his or her mother
A parent was neglected or abused in childhood, or did not learn how to care for a child
His or her parents were too young to put a child's needs ahead of their own

How is RAD diagnosed?

Your child's healthcare provider will check for any developmental delays, such as autism, that can cause symptoms of RAD. He or she will also check your child's physical development and overall health. Healthcare providers may give you questionnaires to fill out with what you notice about your child's attachment to his or her caregivers. Your child may be given toys to play with while healthcare providers observe. Your child may be asked to make up a story about people in his or her life. Healthcare providers will look for the following:

Social cues include facial expressions and body language. A child with RAD may not show any change in facial expressions, or he or she may not react to his or her caregiver's facial expressions. Social cues help your child trust he or she will be cared for. Your child will also use social cues to develop relationships throughout his or her life.
Reciprocity means your child gives and receives attention. For example, children often smile and laugh as they play with a caregiver. They may ask for a hug or reach out to be picked up. A child with RAD may not react when he or she is touched or hugged, or he or she may pull away. He or she may say it hurts to be touched. As your child reads the social cues of his or her caregivers, he or she should be able to respond appropriately. The caregiver should also be able to respond to the child's needs.
Secure base means your child sees his or her caregivers as protective and safe. Children usually crawl or walk away from a parent or caregiver but then turn around and come back. A child with RAD may not come back. Healthcare providers will also watch what happens when the child and parent or caregiver are separated, and when a stranger enters the room. A child with RAD may not be upset when his or her parent or caregiver leaves. He or she may not be afraid when a stranger comes in.

How is RAD treated?

Healthcare providers will first make sure that your child is living in a safe environment and that he or she is not being abused. A therapist can help your child's parents and caregivers learn to respond to his or her needs and bond with him or her. The therapist can teach you ways to manage your child's behavior problems in a positive and productive way. Therapy may include helping parents or caregivers talk about their own childhoods and relationships with caregivers. This may help develop a responsive relationship with your child. Parenting classes are also available. Ask your healthcare provider for more information on classes in your area.

What can I do to help my child?

Respond to your child's needs. Respond the same way each time. Children learn to trust when they receive consistent care and attention. Do not force attention on your child or force him or her to hug you. Offer attention and be willing to accept if he or she offers attention to you. You may have to build trust before you can hug him or her.
Do not try to discipline your child if he or she will not respond. An attempt to force your child to respond may make the behavior worse. Therapists can help you learn when discipline is appropriate and how to be strict without making your child feel unsafe.
Be interactive with your child. Give your child eye contact and smile when you speak with him or her. Give your child your full attention when he or she speaks to you. Talk to your younger child while you are giving him or her a bath, changing his or her diaper, or feeding him or her. Ask your older child about his or her day at school. Eat meals together, and encourage him or her to talk with you. Remember that your child is learning to understand body language. He or she may misinterpret if you seem hurried or tense. Be patient as your child learns to pick up cues and body language. It might be helpful to tell him or her why you are stressed. This will help your child understand that it is not because of him or her.
Limit the number of people who take care of your child. He or she will have a more difficult time bonding if several people take care of him or her regularly. It may be helpful to find someone you trust to care for your child for short periods of time. This will allow you time to rest and come back to your child feeling calm and positive.
Talk to your child's teachers and school officials. Your child may have trouble making friends. He or she may act out in class. Your child's teachers or classmates may not want to include him or her in activities. It is important for your child to feel accepted and supported at school and at home. Your child's teachers may be able to help him or her in the classroom. Your child's school may have programs to help him or her.

When should I seek immediate care?

Your child tries to harm himself or herself or another person, or he or she threatens harm.

When should I contact my child's healthcare provider?

You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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