Intro to DSED – No It’s Not RAD
RAD and DSED are two forms of Attachment Disorder, based on Bowlby’s Attachment Theory. DSED is a new diagnosis under the current DSM-5, which was released in the past year.
Parents of children who were previously diagnosed with RAD, or Reactive Attachment Disorder, may be confused when their child’s diagnosis is changed to DSED, or Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder.
Parents need not be afraid of this new diagnosis. When properly assigned to a child with disordered development of attachment, the diagnosis means that the child tends to lack fear of hesitation approaching strangers or non-family members.
Children with RAD, conversely, tend to demonstrate withdrawn and distant behavior toward others.
Making this distinction between DSED and RAD can be extraordinarily helpful for parents and educators in order to establish healthy rules for parenting and intervention.
Social intervention strategies under the IEP for children receiving services under the IDEA, or Individuals with Disability Education Act, can more easily be refined and focused to meet the child’s unique needs when the diagnosis accurately reflects DSED as opposed to RAD.
Many parents of children with disordered attachment are confused by the use of “Attachment Parenting” in social media. We will explain the connection among Attachment Parenting, therapeutic parenting, Attachment Theory, and DSED or RAD in an upcoming article.
Stay tuned as we continue to share critical information about the Attachment Parenting movement, therapeutic parenting strategies, and further understanding of the diagnosis of RAD versus DSED.
Most important, follow us to learn critical updates on our upcoming DSED and RAD Curriculum. Finally, a solution for parents of children with disordered attachment … the story continues to unfold.
Darleen Claire is a Parenting Expert with a background in Clinical Mental Health, Exceptional Student Education, and Brain-Based strategies to promote growth and healthy development … including healthy attachment development. She is available for individual consultation to support parents, educators, and mental health experts to develop effective and comprehensive plans to support the development of attachment capacities.