Books on RAD, Attachment & Adoption Trauma

If you’re raising a child from hard places the right book can make you feel seen, validated, and better equipped to handle daily challenges. This list includes the most trusted titles — from practical guides and therapeutic approaches to memoirs from parents who’ve been there. Every recommendation here comes from personal experience or from other RAD families who swear by them.

This website contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases — but I only recommend books and resources I’ve personally used or truly believe will help families.

• Before It’s Too Late: Why some kids get into trouble – and what parents can do about it
  (Stanton E. Samenow, PH. D.)
  Newly released in 2022, this book offers insight into children with difficult and extreme behaviors based on case studies.
• Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control
  (Heather T. Forbes)
  Addresses specific behaviors including lying, stealing, hoarding, aggression and defiance. Forbes explains the underpinnings of these behaviors, the cycle caused by not only the behaviors but our response to them as caregivers.
• Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awaking Love in Deeply Traumatized Children
  (Daniel A. Hughes)
  Follows a case study of one child to offer insight for parents and clinicians on how to work with children who have been traumatized. Essential to really understanding the impact of early childhood trauma.
• The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
  (Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD)
  An excellent book written by the leading trauma expert about how trauma impacts the body and brain. Kolk is the researcher who coined the term “Developmental Trauma” and his work is key to understanding the impact of early childhood trauma.
• The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
  (Bruce Perry)
  A fascinating book of case studies from a leading researcher that reveals how brain development is impacted by trauma. Perry developed the Neurosequential Model.
• The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to your Adoptive Family
  (Karyn Purvis)
  In this book, research psychologists apply biblical principles to adoption and attachment. It focuses on bonding, discipline, and addressing behavioral issues.
• The Explosive Child: A new approach for understanding and parenting easily frustrated, chronically inflexible children
  (Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.)
  This book has applicability to RAD kids because it rejects the approach of rewards and consequences and instead focuses on emotional and self-regulation.
• The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Brain
  (Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.)
  Provides a very helpful understanding of how the brain develops and works. However, we must remember our RAD kids are not neurotypical. That said, some of the strategies presented are useful.
• Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma: Calming the Fear-Driven Brain
  (Sebern Fisher)
  Explanation of the neuroscience of developmental trauma and how Neurofeedback is an effective treatment.
• Children and Complex Trauma: A Roadmap for Healing and Recovery
  (Dr. Chuck Geddes, PhD)
  Simple, practical, and proven strategies – based around the Complex Care and Intervention Program

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out: Memoirs from RAD & Trauma-Parenting Families