Question
Dr. Rosemond,
My friend adopted a child 5 years ago from another country. She has been told by psychologists that he has Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and PTSD from the trauma he experienced before she adopted him. She says that his misbehaviors are due to this trauma that he experienced before she adopted him. His parents have trouble with him lying, stealing and misbehaving. I take care of him a lot during the week. I don't agree with these psychologists. I believe that children are super resilient and no matter what they have been through in the past, they should still be expected to behave and are completely capable of doing so. She is a great mom and provides a loving home but she allows him to misbehave because she thinks that he does so because of his past trauma. When he is in my home, aside from the normal testing of the limits that children do, he behaves very well and I expect him to do so. She told me the other day that I should be more sensitive to his past trauma, especially on the anniversary of the day that she adopted him and understand that he will most likely behave badly around that time. What are your thoughts on this matter?
