Does anyone have any suggestions about dealing with a child with R.A.D.S who screams for 2 to 6 hours a day?

Question

He generally screams when dicsiplined...we use time outs as the main discipline. We have tried taking things a way from him, but no object matters enough to him. He was in foster care with his sister for almost a year. He is three now, going on four and his sister is 2. We adopted them about 6 months ago. Any suggestions will be helpful. Keep in mind...we will NOT use corporal punishment.

Answer 1

http://www.radkid.org/
Check this out and see if any of it helps you. Do you have them in any therapy? They will need it for quite a while.
You are right about corporal punishment, that will only make a RAD kid worse.
You need to boost their self-esteem and always make sure they know you love them. Use positive reinforcement and give approval whenever it is earned.
Good luck and contact me if you just want to vent.

Answer 2

My neice was the same way. And really taking things away does not matter to them, especially at that age. Really all it took as not giving in, no matter how long she screamed. The main thing to be careful about is if they are taking out their anger on other kids. It will continue into school if you don't get it to stop. All I really did was not give in and not yell back at her but talk very very sternly to her about her behavour. It takes time and some abuse on the ears, but sticking to the punishment will eventually work. IE taking them back in their room when they leave. I am not one that likes to spank, but I will admit that I would thump (flick of the fingers kind) her on the chin when she got really loud. That surprises them, not a reaction they think they will get at all. And even though it doesn't necessarily hurt, it does shock the senses a bit and they don't like it. At least she didn't. So when I would tell her to stop or she'd get thumped, she stopped more often than not.

Answer 3

First off, I could in no way take young children to a $50 a plate eating place and whilst hubby and I do pass to a nicer eating place, I dont assume to listen to kids screaming over my dinner. I do have three kids, so I am very conscious of ways kids can act, accordingly taking them locations wherein folks are paying a substational sum of money to consume is simply impolite and really thoughtless of others. If im going to a neighborhood meals chain, chili's, pink lobster, and many others, then that type of conduct is tolerable, nevertheless, nonetheless will have to require a father or mother doing away with the baby.

Answer 4

As I read your post my 3 1/2 year old is laying on the floor SCREAMING because someone else has a toy he wants to play with. He tested positive for cocaine & marijuana at birth but I think there is more to it than that. He's been with us since he was 2 days old & we adopted him when he was a year and a half. I'm about at my wits end with him today & I'm not sure where to turn. He is an EXTREMELY trying child!! I'm going to call tomorrow to see if I can get him in for an evaluation with a psychiatrist to see if they can help him somehow.

Answer 5

For a lot of kids with RAD it is about control... when they were smaller they were helpless and the people who were supposed to care for them either hurt them or neglected them, so now they equate giving up control with being in danger. You are so right about not using corporal punishment! Taking things away also doesn't seem to work because the kids are willing to give up THINGS to keep CONTROL. Is he seeing a therapist that specializes in RAD? There is a particular type of therapy called Theraplay (different from Play Therapy") that is supposed to be very good for kids with RAD because it teaches them self-control and helps them learn that being taken care of feels safe and good.

Answer 6

Does he have any history of abuse? If so, I suggest counseling or intense therapy, natural medication, herbs etc.Really try focusing on what he has been through in the past because it can really be affecting him now, maybe he has been abused in the past and is simply acting out.May God bless you for taking on such a great responsability and making a difference in the lives of those children.I myself am interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting and your couarge inspires me to pursue my dream!

Answer 7

I had a foster child who did this. He would self mutalate himself, try to physically harm himself...etc when he was put in time out. Other than transistioning him into the correct behavor (separating his arms so he doesn't scratch himself, holding his feet or taking off his shoes so he won't kick the wall)...although I don't understand what R.A.D.S. is only assuming that it is maybe a behavor disorder...? Keep being patient with him, talk to his doctors and maybe try putting him into play therapy...this helped my other foster child tremedously! He is now home with bio mom, but we still see him and get updates on his progress.