Discrimination between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and reactive attachment disorder in school aged children

▶ Clinicians were able to make a reliable diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder (RAD) in middle childhood, particularly if eight core symptoms of RAD are used. ▶ In a sample of children with ADHD, risk factors for RAD such as a history of maltreatment, were present in many and some symptoms of RAD, such as indiscriminate friendliness, were present in children with ADHD. ▶ Despite some symptomatic overlap, it is possible to discriminate between RAD and ADHD. ▶ Parental report of a child being “too cuddly” and features of child behaviour observed in the clinic waiting room facilitated this discrimination.