RAD Reflections

The Associated Press investigation into residential treatment facilities told a story that needed telling. But it missed something essential — why families end up at those doors in the first place, and what they were owed long before the crisis hit.

Navigating Reactive Attachment Disorder 2026 (NavRAD26) was full of tears, hope, laughter, connection and guidance.

Attachment issues are far different from reactive attachment disorder. That's why RAD Advocates and the Navigating RAD experience began.

One family's firsthand account of adopting a child with reactive attachment disorder—and the training gap no one warned them about.

One family's firsthand account of adopting a child with reactive attachment disorder—and the training gap no one warned them about.

After 7 years of reactive attachment disorder parenting and therapists who didn't understand, Rich shares what it felt like to finally find someone who did — and how RAD Advocates changed everything for his family.

Keri Williams explains tantrum vs. rage in reactive attachment disorder, why language matters, and what parents can do in the moment to prioritize safety.

Families with children who have reactive attachment disorder often reach crisis before finding help. Learn why early advocacy matters and how to get support sooner.

Reactive attachment disorder impacts more than one child. Learn how siblings are affected, what often goes unseen, and how families can plan for safety and support the whole household.

As reactive attachment disorder escalated, this family faced police calls, denied placements, and legal risk. RAD Advocates helped them understand what agencies were doing, prepare for staffings, and protect their family through the court process.

Holiday chaos is common for children with reactive attachment disorder. One parent shares how trauma shaped Christmas — and the changes that finally brought peace.

Cherie survived severe bilateral breast cancer, but says parenting children with reactive attachment disorder was even harder. This is what families facing developmental trauma really experience.

Forrest Lien, LCSW, has spent more than four decades helping families affected by developmental trauma find stability and healing. From this interview, recorded at NavRAD, he reflects on how listening to parents has shaped his life’s work — and how collaboration between professionals and caregivers continues to change what’s possible for children with developmental trauma disorder.

Discover why traditional discipline fails children with developmental trauma and reactive attachment disorder — and how clinicians can better guide parents.

Discover why traditional discipline fails children with developmental trauma and reactive attachment disorder — and how clinicians can better guide parents.

Rachael and Monte Hawkins, who run a boarding school for girls, share how training from RAD Advocates reshaped their understanding of families.

Discover why traditional discipline fails children with developmental trauma and reactive attachment disorder — and how clinicians can better guide parents.

“Trauma-informed care” is a popular buzzword in education, but many educators don’t know what it really means. Misunderstanding developmental trauma can backfire, leaving students without the safety and consistency they need to learn.

Retired attorney Alan Novick exposes the child welfare system’s failure to recognize reactive attachment disorder. Families are wrongly blamed while children go untreated — here’s why reform is urgently needed.

Learn what to say—and not say—to support parents raising children with reactive attachment disorder. Compassion and belief make the difference.