I have had students with RAD

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I have had students with RAD
By Donna

I have taught kids in a self-contained classroom with RAD. Usually combined with PTSD - often fearful of unexpected sounds or touch, they try to mask this with anger. Generally do not trust adults because they have had bad experiences in the past (foster care system, etc.) They need you to be calm and consistent - someone they can count on, yet it will take a long time for them to trust you. RAD kids can be more comfortable with peers than adults. Sometimes they feel most vulnerable when they have begun to trust an adult - because they expect the adult to turn on them, as adults have in the past. Therefore, their progress may not appear continuous - 2 steps forward, 1 step back, etc.