Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) or Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) is a brain disorder caused by abuse or neglect occurring in utero or during the first few years of life. 

A significantly overactive amygdala – the area of the brain responsible for the primitive survival mode – results in the child continually believing their life depends on gaining control over others in their environment. 

The brain becomes hardwired to perceive attachment as threatening causing the child to act against a primary caregiver. 

Glass children are children with a sibling who takes up a disproportionate amount of parental energy. This can be a child with an obvious physical or emotional disability, it can be a child with an addiction, a serious illness, or significant behavioral issues, such as RAD or DTD.

The siblings of this child are called glass children because their overwhelmed parents look at them and rather than see their needs…look right through them.

Neurotypical describes individuals of typical developmental, intellectual, and cognitive abilities. A neurotypical person is an individual who thinks, perceives, and behaves in ways that are considered to be “normal” by the general population.

In other words, it’s used to describe individuals who do not have early developmental trauma, autism, or other hardwired brain differences.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur in anyone experiencing or witnessing violence, verbal abuse, or other extreme stressful situations – particularly if it is ongoing or chronic.

A child with RAD or DTD pushes away their family through subtle actions such as manipulation, lying and triangulating family relationships. Some also act out with more overt behaviors such as aggressive tantrums, verbal abuse, theft or destruction of other’s property, and physical assaults.

Signs and symptoms typically include, but are not limited to:

• Avoidance of thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma including activities, individuals, and places associated with the trauma.
• Loss of interest in things once enjoyed and significant events. Detaching from loved ones.
• Anxiety over seemingly daily activities and emotions that seem to contradict each other.  
• Intense distress when certain cues or “triggers” set off memories of the traumatic event(s). Trouble concentrating, along with feelings of irritability, and frustration over trivial events that did not bother you in the past.
• Nightmares and flashbacks – insomnia or oversleeping may occur. Possible heightened alertness or easily startled.