Sally: A 12-Year-Old Who has Reactive Attachment Disorder

Abstract

Sally is a 12-year-old biracial (African-American/white) child. She is tall and lanky with very neat cornrows. Her adoptive parents in conjunction with her adoption social worker referred her for services. Sally seems comfortable living in her adoptive home, with her African-American father, her white mother, and her younger biracial biological sibling. Sally has been in the home for just over two years and her adoption was legally finalized eight months ago. She interacts smoothly with the family but her parents say that “something’s missing.” Sally does not turn to her parents for comfort or guidance. Her parents have offered considerable daily life structure to help her become more connected, but she does not seem to look for their care and support. They fear she will turn to “just anyone” and as a near teenager this could mean others might take advantage of her. “She doesn’t think at all about her safety.” From the parent’s perspective, it is difficult “to get so little response” from Sally, though they are quite aware they are “in it for the long haul.” “We are committed to her.” They find it difficult to understand her nonverbal cues and, even after they encourage her to talk, Sally seems puzzled about her feelings and needs.