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Carolyn
I have been a therapeutic foster parent for 6 years. Our foster son came
to live with us recently and was diagnosed with RAD,ADHD, PTSD. Having never worked with a
child with RAD before, I am finding it very challenging indeed and also very exciting to
learn about his disorder. He also has two older brothers in foster care that visit him
every two weeks. They also have RAD. When the three of them get together, all they do is
fight and argue.
Presently, we are trying to get an IEP for our foster son. It has been such a struggle to
put this together. All the paper work that is necessary to make this happens is unreal. I
was told soon we shall a have meeting up to the school. I am his Educational Advocate so
this will help him alot. The elementary school he presently attends does not seem to have
a program to meet his needs. This is going to be a real problem for us. We do not want to
him to attend an alternative school, being bused two hours a day. This simply will not
work. This is where we are at with some of our work with our new foster son. Must also add
that he has had two years of therapy with a doctor who is trained in this field here in
RI. His visits with her and his former adoptive parents did not work out. We were told
they tried but after two years, they terminated their rights and handed him back to the
state. I will be starting to attend therapy with him with the same doctor in the very near
future. I will be doing a fair amount of driving too. I do have a few concerns at this
point in terms of our therapy. I am praying I can make a difference this time with this
little guy. I feel I have already helped him in so many ways in a very short time.
He gives me hugs and kisses, loves to snuggle and read with me every night etc.
Perhaps this is still a "honeymoon" period though. He came to us last Oct. It is
now Feb. and we have only just begun. Another concern, my husband is already angry with
him and "burnt" out with his endless chatter, poor school performance, etc. etc.
I feel all alone in this here at the house. This group has helped me so much and I am so
grateful to have located you. I am reading alot of materials now but find myself on
over-load now just dealing with the every day issues of caring for this ten year old boy
who is so needy. I have raised two sons, and have three grandchildren. I am a
"well-seasoned" parent with lots of love to give. Looking forward to this long
journey of learning and growing with our new foster son. I believe in miracles, and I
believe God gave me the opportunity to serve Him in a very special way in caring for my
RADish (as you all say)....
I am learning all new terms as I read your email. Thank you all for the help you have
given to me. You are all such a blessing indeed.
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