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Longer-Term Residential Care
Longer-Term Residential Care
Children from foster & adoptive situations and exhibit developmental trauma and attachment injuries will likely need longer-term residential care.
When evaluating potential schools or programs, visiting the site, speaking with staff, and connecting with other families who have gone through the program can provide valuable insights. If possible, involve professionals (familiar with RAD or DSED) who know your child's case well in the decision-making process. The goal is to find a supportive, effective environment that addresses the complex needs of children with RAD, fostering their ability to form healthy attachments and progress emotionally.
Longer-term residential care has an expected length of stay for 9 – 18 months or longer. Treatment resistant children with Developmental Trauma may require a longer stay in a treatment school setting.
Parents choosing a treatment school or program for a child from foster care or adoption, especially those diagnosed with RAD or DSED, must carefully consider the following guidelines to ensure the program can effectively address the child's unique needs:
Parents choosing a treatment school or program for a child from foster care or adoption, especially those diagnosed with RAD or DSED, must carefully consider the following guidelines to ensure the program can effectively address the child's unique needs:
1. Look for a program with specifically trained and trauma-informed staff
The program qualification goes beyond the program just claiming the capabilities
2. Avoid Programs Reliant Only on Positive Peer Review and Level Systems
Children with RAD often struggle with forming positive peer relationships and may not progress in systems that rely heavily on these dynamics. Programs that emphasize behavioral modification and peer reviews without considering the child's unique challenges may not be effective.
3. Ensure the Presence of Adoption-Specific or RAD Group Therapy
Group therapy is beneficial alongside individual therapy, providing a supportive community and addressing specific attachment-related challenges. A child may benefit from hearing about others and their losses and relate well to similar experiences.
4. Prepare for a Longer Treatment Duration
Trust-building is a slow process for children with RAD or DSED, and they may require significantly more time in treatment compared to others. Patience and a long-term commitment to the child's progress are crucial.
5. Be Ready for Potential Disruptive Behaviors
Acknowledge that the child's behaviors can be highly disruptive. The right program will have strategies for dealing with problem behaviors constructively, including possible short-term hospitalizations or specialized programs as part of the treatment plan.
6. Choose a Program Committed to Seeing the Process Through
Opt for a program that is committed to supporting your child through difficulties rather than one that may dismiss them at the first sign of trouble. The program should prioritize safety and learning through challenges. Check on the program's grounds for dismissal in the parent handbook.
7. Consider the Benefits of Animal and Expressive Therapies
Programs that incorporate animal and other expressive therapy can be particularly effective for children with attachment disorders, offering a unique way to build trust and empathy.
8. Select a School with Clear Expectations and Structure
A program that teaches self-regulation and independent thinking and has a very structured approach can be beneficial. It's important to collaborate with the program to maintain consistent messaging about the child's pathway to returning home, emphasizing the completion of therapeutic milestones.
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