RAD Talk with Tracey

In this episode, you'll meet RAD mom Lee and therapeutic parenting and respite guru, Debbie Harris. Debbie came to Lee's rescue and literally showed up on her doorstep (well, actually, in her driveway) only a few days after Lee contacted her. Lee was at her breaking point but the help she received from Debbie was life changing. Not only for her, but for her daughter, her son, her husband, and her extended family. RAD families don't always have happy endings. But this one does.

Visit these websites:

RAD Connection: www.radconnection.com

RAD Advocates: www.radadvocates.org

RAD Talk with Tracey: www.radtalkwithtracey.com

RAD in the classroom. Ever wonder what it's like for a teacher? In this episode, my guest, Leslie Brunner, will tell you all about her experiences with it. And she'll be the first to tell you that she never really understood kids with RAD in the classroom until she be became a RAD mom herself. Before that, as a teacher, Leslie says she sensed that something wasn't quite 'right' but didn't have a name for it or any strategies to work with it. This is still the case in many classrooms today. Her only option was to use the same strategies she used with other kids in her classroom as a special education teacher. But they didn't work. Leslie has come a long way since then and shares her wisdom, insight, and suggestions for other educators and families to help you work with these kiddos in the classroom/school setting.

Take Aways from this episode:

-Teachers and parents need to start with awareness

-Communicate together

-Being trauma informed isn't the same as teaching children with trauma

-Recognize that the brain of a child with RAD is changed/rewired

-Don't get caught up or focus too much on the details of your student's trauma

-The job of the teacher is to help the child attach to their family

Services Mentioned in this Episode:

RAD Advocates www.radadvocates.org

RAD Talk Support Groups www.radtalkwithtracey.com/support

Join Tracey, Chris & Heather in their first RAD "Real Talk" podcast episode. Once a month, we'll get together for some casual conversation. 3 RAD moms discussing different topics that most RAD parents experience.

This episode is a bit of everything because we didn't pick a specific topic and just dove right in.

So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and come hang out with us for an hour or so!

We'd love to hear your ideas! Have a topic you'd like us to discuss?

Email us at: [email protected]

And feel free to join in the conversation! Add your thoughts and comments on our Facebook and Instagram pages:

Facebook: @radtalkwithtracey

Instagram: radtalkwithtracey

Who are we?

Tracey is a RAD mom, RAD Parent Coach, Podcast Host and Founder of RAD Talk with Tracey.

Chris is a RAD mom, Clinical Social Worker, Hospital Chaplain, Author, and Founder of Full Catastrophe Parenting.

Heather is a RAD mom, RAD Parent Advocate and Chief Operating Officer at RAD Advocates.

Get ready for another success story! Yep! You heard that right. ANOTHER success story!

I've been lucky enough to meet and interview a few young adults who have come a long way from growing up with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). They are incredible "kids" (now young adults) who have overcome so much trauma and hardship.

In this episode, you'll meet Andurina, who is an incredible young woman with her own RAD story to tell. Andurina was adopted from Guatemala along with her older sister. She shares what it was like growing up with RAD and the top 3 things she says helped her heal. Andurina shares a lot of great insight and explained, "I wanted to be loved, I did. But also, if you got too close, I was like, okay, back it up".

Today, Andurina has positive relationships with her mom, dad, siblings, and has strong friendships. She also has a degree in psychology and is prepping for her Masters degree. She shows us that it's possible to overcome RAD and live a happy and healthy life.

I especially recommend this episode for couples. It's a story of hope and despair and hope again. I'm sure many of you will recognize yourselves somewhere in Laura's story.

Laura shares her experience about being a stepmom trying to raise a stepchild with RAD and the toll it took on her marriage. And everything in between. Including "little wife syndrome". It's a real thing y'all!

Episode Takeaways:

-It takes both people to be on the same page

-Individual and couples therapy can help with the right therapist

-Work on your own trauma

-Set and respect boundaries

-Believe your gut

Resources Mentioned in This episode:

Parent Support:

www.radtalkwithtracey.com

I always want to cry (happy tears!) when I learn about another potential placement option for our kids with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and/or behavioral problems. What a relief it is to know that there are people out there willing to support families by providing a safe place for our children when home isn't an option. In this episode, you'll meet the owners and founders of Life Quest Girls Academy in Parowan, Utah. Monte and Rachael Hawkins were inspired after spending time with a friend who was in charge of a residential treatment center (RTC). They realized that there wasn't a place for girls to transition to after spending time at an RTC. So, they followed a dream, took a leap of faith and created Life Quest Girls Academy for girls ages 13-18. Their goal is for every student to become self-sufficient by learning healthy habits, coping skills, life skills and being accountable for their actions through principle-based learning. Monte and Rachael describe it as, "learning the same things that your grandpa would have taught you". And good news, Life Quest Girls Academy is more affordable than most facilities and the program is customized specifically for each student's needs. They're no strangers to Reactive Attachment Disorder and they don't rush your child through the program. Monte and Rachael strongly believe and encourage families to allow their daughter to complete the program before leaving. Rachael shares a great success story about a student with RAD at the end of the podcast.

Crystalyn and her husband Brady have 4 adopted children and one "miracle" biological daughter. Until their biological daughter was born, the didn't know what "normal" parenting was. Their son, Scott, has reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and started becoming violent toward Crystalyn, his therapist, and himself. As most families do, Crystalyn and Brady tried everything to help Scott but eventually had to make some hard decisions. One of those decisions was to report themselves to DHS and then not pick up their son from the hospital after his 3rd violent episode. Crystalyn talks candidly about raising 4 children plus one with reactive attachment disorder, living on eggshells, calls to the police, DHS scare tactics, and taking a leap of faith in order to save her family.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

RAD Advocates

www.radadvocates.org

Mountain State Boys Academy

https://www.christianboysboardingschools.com/

RAD Sibs

www.radsibs.org

Second Chance Adoption Program

https://wiaa.org/2nd-chance-adoption

Parent Support-RAD Talk With Tracey

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/support

Sateash Hime is passionate, innovative and someone who thinks big. She used to be a DHS case worker in the foster adoption program. But Sateash was dissatisfied with how little she was able to do working within DHS, especially with children and families living with Reactive Attachment Disorder. Working in a large organization with caseloads of up to 25 families, all with different needs, and 60 days to complete each case, she knew that families needed more than a bandaid solution. Sateash also noticed patterns with RAD families and knew they needed help. She is now the Pathways Partner Coordinator at an organization called Joint Initiatives. This organization helps families access the support and resources they need by providing individualized support. It all starts with the ISST (Individual Services Support Team); a position and team that was created specifically for Sateash. She describes her job as "giving people the grace and that place to not be OK". And then asking, "How can I help"? No judgement, real help.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families

www.jointinitiatives.org

RAD Advocates

www.radadvocates.org

RAD Parent Support

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/support

The system failed this family big time. Meet "Caela". She and her husband are parents of children with RAD who unexpectedly ended up getting arrested and spent time in jail. This RAD mom talks openly about their experience with adoption, raising children with Reactive Attachment Disorder, going to jail, and relinquishment. Caela isn't afraid to shine a bright light on how broken the foster-adoption system is. She also shares her thoughts on what needs to change. Caela was looking for help and ended up becoming a criminal in order to get it. It's stories like hers that make us realize that change needs to happen. The foster-adoption system needs to be reformed. Our children and our families deserve better.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

I Move for Change Fundraiser

www.radadvocates.org

RAD Talk Project-Silver Bracelet

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/shop

Meet Susan, a RAD mom who has figured out a way to raise a son with RAD, raise her 2 biological children, and manage her sanity. Susan shares how she does this so that you can do it too. She shares the 3 key things that help her survive. Susan also talks about how she is helping other families by participating in the "I Move for Change" fundraiser to raise money for RAD Advocates.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

I Move for Change Fundraiser - Sign up at:

www.radadvocates.org

Parent Support and Support Groups

www.radtalkwithtracey.com/support