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Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

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To feel attached is to feel connected, protected, and safe (Sable, 2013). Although a relationship with a pet is not the same as one with another human, individuals have a biological need for attachment. Attachment theory and neurobiology specifically give an even deeper understanding of the closeness that animals provide, and this knowledge is relevant to therapeutic work (Knapp, 1998). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of canine-assisted therapy among children who are diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). There is not a lot of research on working interventions that assist a child with poor attachment styles learn positive attachment styles. This study will be able to shed light onto if Canine-Assisted Therapy …show more content…

RAD is a persistent social or emotional disturbance characterized minimal social and emotional responsiveness to others, limited positive affect, and episodes of unexplained irritability, sadness, or fearfulness that are evident even during non-threatening interactions with adult caregivers. RAD can manifest when the child has experienced a pattern of extremes of insufficient care as evidenced by social neglect or deprivation in the form of persistent lack of having basic emotional needs for comfort, stimulation, and affection met by caring adults, repeated changes of primary caregivers that limit opportunities to form stable attachments (e.g., frequent changes in foster care), or rearing in unusual settings that severely limit opportunities to form selective attachments (e.g., institutions with high child to caregiver ratios) (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).
Paws for Healing is a non-profit organization based out of Napa, California. Their primary mission is to train volunteers in the community in Canine-Assisted Therapy (CAT). These teams seek to enhance the quality of life of individuals in hospitals, mental health facilities, special education classes, adult day care centers, cancer units, hospice …show more content…

For example, our upstairs bathroom has been a source of real terror for her. A couple of months ago, on her own, she took Grizwald into this tiny bathroom and used it without me or any other support. This may not sound like a lot to someone who doesn’t know Bekah, but let me tell you, this was a major breakthrough.”
The goal of this literature review is to determine if there is research supporting a positive correlation between the use of CAT and improved attachment styles among children diagnosed with RAD. Due to a lack of research in CAT and the fact that most AAT involves the use of canines, it will be assumed in this paper that if canines are not mentioned in the research, the effectiveness of CAT may be equal to the effectiveness of AAT (National Service Animal Registry, 2017).
Sable (2013) suggested that a relationship with a family pet, especially a dog or cat, reflects certain aspects of attachment which may result in a sense of comfort and connection to individuals. Sable came to this conclusion using the ethological-evolutionary framework of attachment, neuroscience, and animal studies. He concluded that there is now convincing scientific evidence that companion animals have positive effects on psychological and physical well-being, helping shape how people regulate their emotions, deal with stress or trauma, and relate to others (Sable,

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Homework #3 Mary Ainsworth was a very influential figure in the field of psychology. Not only did she focus on the scientific study of love, but she also looked at how this theory developed. Mary’s lifelong process looked at the origins and nature of attachments between the interactions of infants and their primary caregivers.

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Dr. Bruce Perry began his book The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook – What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing with a statement about children and their resilience. Much like what we discussed in class, Dr. Perry touched on how children were thought to be naturally resilient and that they seemed to bounce back quickly. However, he continued with the statement that even the slightest bit of stress can impact an infant's development. Likewise, we discussed numerous things that can impact the welfare of children, such as attachment, education, and poverty.

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Florence Nightingale also used what she called “animal-companion therapy” for her patients who were sick and disabled (Goddard, 2015). “Nightingale described the benefits of an animal-companion as a source of therapy to her patients. She used pets with wounded soldiers in the early 19th century and found that pets were companions in the healing process” (Chu, Liu, Sun, & Lin, 2009). Sigmund Freud has also been recognized with identifying the role of animals in therapy and stated that his dog had a “special sense.” “Freud believed the calming presence of his canine was especially useful with children and would bring his Chow Chow, “Jo-Fi,” to therapy sessions” (Fine, 2006).

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When attachment is formed with a loving caregiver or parent who is able to provide support, love, and guidance along with the basic human needs, attachment can be reinforced and healthy (VBH). Educating children and parents-to-be of consequences of ineffective parenting might reduce the incidence of RAD in children (Lehman & Jegtvig, 2004). Children with RAD are not completely lost with their ability to form attachments, those who have been diagnosed and seek treatment early with hopeful learn to be able to recognize and manage their behaviors and feeling as well as creating healthy relationship in their future. It is important to first get the child in a safe house with caregivers who genuinely care about them and are willing to work on developing positive interactions with the child. By using treatment methods like dyadic developmental therapy, integrative play therapy, and parent skills training are all credible techniques to help build trust and attachment.

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Scott, Strasser and Zeaneh (2015) report that of the children exposed to severe maltreatment less than 10% will match the criteria for RAD and although there is less data for DSED the current information is that less then 20% of children would meet the criteria for DSED. There is a lack of reliable evidence to support that an attachment disorder is genetic. Reactive Attachment Disorder. Smyke and Potter (2011) characterized RAD as the child not seeking comfort when distressed, not calming when comforted and does not seek out social contact. The child appears to have a lack of response towards caregivers, the child experiences severe emotional and behaviour regulations, has a very minimal positive affect (smiling, laughing, engagement) and disproportioned reactions of fear or irritability.

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Claims that pets make the classroom experience more relatable whether a child has had exposure or not, and provides a new learning experience. Presumes that the presence of animals lessens the tension in a classroom. States that it helps children’s health as studies show that kids from houses with pets have a better chance of fighting off infection compared to kids from households without pets. Discusses how animals help children with their emotions and can relieve stress, and how this is especially beneficial in a classroom setting. Connects pets to encouraging a nurturing relationship among children, building self-esteem, and teaching responsibility.

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To wrap it all up, dogs can be very beneficial in the process of developing social

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Some children that have been grossly mistreated, neglected or abused fail to create secure attachments. Secure attachment is vital to the formation of the Childs sense of self and others that pave the way and sets up the course that guides the emotional and behavioral reactions that follow him through life (Hornor, 2008). It has been shown that failure to have positive experiences as well as abuse and neglect causes those memory systems to be filled with fear, mistrust and rejection (Mikic & Terradas, 2014). Since children with RAD learn at an early age not to trust their primary caregivers to attend to their needs, they learn how to fend for themselves which leads to many antisocial behaviors that continue into adulthood. Studies have shown that children with Reactive Attachment Disorder have neurological

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Many people interact with animals to this day and have changed their lives by doing so. Although we may not interact with animals as much as we used to do, it’s still good for us and can immensely affect us. Getting involved with an animal can improve your life making it significantly more positive and joyous. Animals such as horses and dogs can also provide us a lot more whether it 's for companionship, protection, or work. Nowadays being around animals is common between people all over the world but companionship between the person and the animal is what makes every relationship special.

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State of Science Animal Assisted therapy is the intentional use of animals as part of the therapeutic process in treating an individual (Nimer & Lundahl, 2007). Animal assisted therapies have shown promise for a variety of clinical applications

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Literature Review Throughout the years, research has been conducted on the effects that foster care can have on children. In the United States alone, there are roughly 670,000 children who have spent time in the foster care system each year (“Foster Care,” 2017). Of those children, approximately 33% of them age out of foster care system. Studies then show that the foster care system has had varying effects on the children who are/have been a part of it. In many cases, studies have noted the effects of attachment for children in foster care.

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“Good Will Hunting” is a fantastic example of a psychological movie. The screenwriter has given the main character, Will, a reactive attachment disorder. The movie is set in Boston and follows a 20 year-old man named Will Hunting. He was abused by his foster father when he was just a child. A reactive attachment disorder is rare disease, it is when someone was either abandoned, Abused, or put through a foster program at a very young age.

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Adolescents who lack a secure attachment relationship with their caregivers are at a greater risk for dysregulation of affect when experiencing trauma and the developing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Insecurely attached children and adolescents do not seek comfort in their caregivers so when exposed to trauma, their coping abilities are significantly hindered. When not able to seek protection and comfort in their caregivers, insecurely attached youth are more likely to be overwhelmed by stress; coping alone with limited resources may cause hyperarousal or disassociation (Perry, 2001). Likewise, an adolescent with a secure attachment can act as a layer of defense against the potential adverse effects of trauma (Finkelhor & Browne, 1984). A secure attachment also provides a safe a nurturing environment that enables the adolescent to process the traumatic events and become more equipped to return to a sense of safety and wellbeing- at least the same level experiences prior to the traumatic experience.

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While many pet owners claim that their pets actually do make them feel better, there are still some skeptics. However, research studies show that pets do have a very positive impact on various aspects of our health. In fact, according to “In Their Innocence and Wisdom” by Lilly Calandrello, studies have correlated pet ownership with the following health benefits: lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, better psychological health, lower heart attack rates, higher survival rates following coronary heart disease, enhanced self-esteem and social interaction. So as people take care of their companion animals, the animals are in turn taking care of their

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The last piece of evidence was found in the story “Hachiko, The Story Of A Loyal Dog,” in paragraph 4. Hachiko, the dog, bounced or leaped all over his owner. This shows friendship between the owner and the dog and how this bond is unbreakable. As you can see, people and animals can develop a great attachment towards each other that help them get to know each other and be

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