r
By Gordon Nielson
r
There are a significant number of children who live their first few years in environments that are not nurturing, engaging and caring. These children come from a variety of family situations. They may have experienced physical or emotional neglect such as from a mother who suffered from post-partum depression, who is not skilled or perhaps not committed to parenting, or perhaps who is involved in substance use.
r
These children may have experienced physical or sexual abuse as infants or toddlers. They may just have lived in a situation where they had caregiving that may have been adequate but has been provided by many different individuals and was not consistent over those early years.
r
These children are subject to developing attachment problems, the most severe of which is Reactive Attachment Disorder. These children have difficulty connecting to others and managing their own emotions. This results in a lack of trust in themselves and anyone else, anger and a need to be in control. They often feel unsafe and alone. They also often display numerous extreme inappropriate behaviors, creating problems for schools and the community but especially for adoptive, step-, foster or natural parents.
r
Parents of a child with RAD endure extreme stress, often feeling overwhelmed, lonely, angry, scared, guilty or misunderstood and confused among other emotions. Those feelings are completely normal.
r
If you would like to meet with other parents experiencing similar issues with challenging children, you can attend a free support group which meets the second Thursday of every month in Springville. Call 804-1028 for more information.
