There are a variety of interventions that tackle attachment disorders but not specifically for RAD. Below are some interventions that may be beneficial to use when accomodating students with RAD, in a classroom setting. Careful implementation of these intervention strategies to student’s learning, IEP, and skills acquisition may greatly benefit students with RAD.
Video feedfoward Strategy
Instead of using the traditional method of feedback, there is this alternative to providing feedback in a fun and interactive way. Feedforward strategy is one that includes self-modeling in learning. There are successful stories in using this method to help improve the learning of positive behaviours. Many educators are aware of this strategy to give feedback to the students, however, not many know that students with RAD can benefit greatly using this strategy. Because we are trying to promote positive behaviours, such strategy can be implemented when students with RAD are showing negative behaviours. Such behaviours can then be shaped and remodelled through this ‘ self-modeling learning’.
The video above describes how important it is to give feedback to students, and as educators, will need to keep in mind that feedback can be given in multiple ways. Everyday we give feedback on many levels, including simple feedback to online questionaires or actual work related evaluations. Through these feedbacks, we learn and strive to be the better version of our mistakes. Therefore, it is very important to be able to give proper feedback and constructive feedback, especially in the early years of childhood. Typically, children with RAD have a hard time recieving feedback as they already lack a secure attachment with a caregiver, placing another “stranger” in their environment giving them feedback in the incorrect way will make the situation even worse.
Feedforward is a video that can be used to help educators to implement this strategy in their classroom settings for an alternative way for providing feedback to students with RAD. Keep in mind that this strategy is widely adopted and can be used not only on children with RAD.
When the given strategy is being implemented, there has been feedback from the participants with “it is fun!” Certainly, having feedback does not always have to be boring or contain a negative connotation. Below is a chart that depicts the differences on feedback and feedforward and what feedforward can help promote.
Circle of Security Intervention
The circle of security intervention is tpypcally to help the mother and child establish a secure attachment. It is based on the attachement theory, where the intervention places its core values on. Studies have demonstrated that children with any type of attachment style other than secure attachment resulted in other EBD other than RAD. Therefore, it is very important to address the attachment styles when the child is at a young age.
“The Circle of Security program is designed to offer parents/caregivers direction and clarity in understanding trauma and healing. Parents are the most essential part of helping children overcome trauma and develop alternative pathways to healing. ” – Circle of Security Network
References/Resources:
https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/feedforward/ – interview to feedforward from the creator of this strategy
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/share-feedforward-not-feedback-joe-hirsch – Teacher blog that share the idea of feedforward
http://circleofsecuritynetwork.org/ – great place to find information on how to build a secure attachment with your children
https://centerfordiscovery.com/treatment-programs/mental-health/reactive-attachment-disorder-rad/