Reimagining Success as a RAD Parent #NAVRAD22
Keri Williams, author and award winning talks about how we can redefine success as parents of kids with Reactive Attachment DIsorder (RAD) and find a way forward. #NAVRAD22 […]
Seeking Alternative Placement When Home Isn’t Working #NAVRAD22
Best Choice Admissions presents the free services they offer parents who are looking for an out of home placement for their child who has Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) @ #NAVRAD22 […]
Co-existing Disorders with RAD and their Effective Medical Treatment #NAVRAD22
Dr. John F. Alston, psychologist and expert on attachment disorders, shares about co-existing disorders with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and their effective medical treatment @ #NAVRAD22 […]
Christmas Gift List for kids in Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs)
It can be challenging to Christmas shop for kids who are living in residential treatment facilities (PRTFs, RTFs, or group homes). There are almost always restrictive rules about personal items along with special rules for Christmas gifts. For example, in most facilities electronics, candy, and hardback books are not allowed. So […]
Tips to work with your child’s school (includes free teacher handout)
I can't tell you how many days I've navigated through carline with a drink holder full of steaming hot cups of coffee. Every school year I'd learn how my kid's teachers took their coffee. On my way to drop the kids off at school in the mornings, I'd pick up a […]
2/3 of kids with RAD are first misdiagnosed with ADHD
Our recent Facebook poll showed that 67% of children first misdiagnosed with RAD (and other developmental trauma diagnoses) were first diagnosed with ADHD. […]
What to do when child protective services investigates…
An interview with Diane L. Redleaf, a family defense pioneer Nationally-known leaders have called Diane L. Redleaf the “conscience of the child welfare system,” the driving force behind creating a “better, fairer child welfare system” and “the people’s lawyer.” Diane has played a leading role in hundreds of important cases on behalf […]
What Social Workers Need to Know When Working with Adoptive Families
By brave adoptive parent and advocate Pernell Meier Social workers have been an ever-present part of my family. Over the course of 13 years, we have parented 7 children from foster care, 5 of whom we adopted. In that time, we have had countless social workers in and out of our lives. […]
Why Residential Treatment is good (and not good) for kids with RAD
What's your success been with Residential Treatment Facilities (RTF)? My son, Devon, has been in 2 group homes and 5 psychiatric residential facilities (PRTF). They feel like 'holding tanks' that have actually made him worse. Unfortunately, they've been necessary to keep Devon and my other children safe. Here's a great pro […]
Open letter to a therapist from a mom of a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder
Dear Therapist, I am desperate for your help. I apologize ahead of time if I seem angry and defensive. I’m just burnt out and afraid you won’t understand. My son is completely out of control and nothing works. I’ve tried to get help before from therapists and teachers, even police officers, but […]
Mental Health workers are burnt out
Mental health “workers” are chronically overworked, underpaid, and not appreciated. “Workers,” given a variety of job titles, are the day-to-day staff who work in group homes and residential treatment facilities, and provide some in-home services. Unlike licensed clinicians and supervisors they’re in the trenches with us and our kids. They’re often […]
Assumptions: The deck is already stacked against you
Navigating the mental health system on behalf of our children, especially those with extreme behaviors, is like traversing hostile territory. The assumptions mental health professionals make about us and our families are quicksand sucking us into a quagmire of misunderstanding and bitterness. Here are just a few assumptions that have been […]