We adopted internationally without the use of an agency or caseworker. Why was that even allowed? With that being said, we wish we had been more educated about the potential problems we could encounter post-adoption. Nobody wants to discourage adoption or give out information that might change someone's mind, so it feels like RAD and other attachment issues get kept under wraps and any potential issues get minimized.
The mental health system for kids and teens is severely lacking. We were unable to find any therapists or community support workers who were knowledgeable about RAD. Our child was given all sorts of labels because providers were uninformed about attachment disorders. Our child dealt with mental illness and homicidal ideation towards their adoptive parents and was not safe in our home. Nobody could or would help us, because adults have no rights to safety when it is your own child.
Financially, we have had to take out loans and spend our savings and retirement to get her treatment and keep everyone safe. The financial strain we went through to adopt, and then again trying to provide the care our child needs, has been draining. We have received no financial assistance whatsoever.
