ANALYSIS OF RAD AND ODD

The purpose of this paper is to examine the sequella or after-effects of both Reactive Attachment Disorder(RAD) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder(ODD) in children and look for underlying relationships. In this regard, Butcher, Mineka and Hooley (2003) define RAD as a mental disorder of infancy and or early childhood marked by an inability to form relationships, especially with the caretaker that is usually associated with caretaker separation or neglect. The diagnostic criteria for the disorder are given by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV, 2000) as follows:

1. Inappropriate social relationships for the child's age which started before the age of 5 years and meets either one of the following symptoms:

a) Failure to start or respond to age appropriate social interactions such as avoiding a caregiver, resisting comforting, or staring at the caregiver

b) Child does not discriminate against who they interact with or who they develop an attachment with.

2. The symptoms in one are not accounted for due to a developmental delay disorder and does not meet the criteria for Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

3. Pathogenic care meets one of the following criteria:

a) Frequent disregard to the child's basic emotional need for comfort, stimulation, and affection.

b) Frequent disregard to the child's basic physical needs.

c) Frequent changes in primary caregivers t

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in the preceding years of their lives. This can serve as an obstacle to growth in multiple areas including self-control, self-esteem, conscience and the ability to function in relationships. Hughes (1998) further notes that RAD can have negative cognitive effects, actually altering the child's developing brain and body, leading to distorted thought patterns, learning disabilities or chronic illness, as well as an inability to determine cause and effect. As these children grow up, their reactive behaviors include dependency in relationships, anti-social behavior, hopeless views of the world around them and an inability to deal with problems. ODD is much like RAD in certain aspects of children's behavior; however, unlike RAD it does not begin with serious aggression. As noted by Davison, Neale and Kring (2003), children with ODD tend to follow a negative pattern of behavior that is hostile and defiant but without serious aggression. However, the condition is often associated with poor learning and communication skills as is RAD. Also, it frequently is associated with inconsistent caretaking and/orr absence of a caretaker as is RAD. The American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV, 2000) provides the following diagnostic criteria f
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Approximate Word count = 1214
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)