An embryo forms in the uterus of an expectant mother. The organism already depends on its mother and is physically attached to her by the formation of the umbilical cord. After birth, interactions between the child and their caregivers determine whether this attachment continues on a healthy path or begins to be disrupted. When the latter occurs, children can develop reactive attachment disorder (RAD). Since this disorder is relatively poorly diagnosed and poorly understood, there is little empirical data regarding its etiological and epidemiological basis. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders characterizes RAD as a disorder that occurs when a child has been the subject of inadequate and repeated care. Additionally, children with this disorder really focus on the attention and attachment they perceive from the world around them, whether they avoid it (inhibited type) or crave it (disinhibited type). ). Additional research is needed in the coming years for RAD to be better recognized and understood. Attachment An infant's first contact with the world and exploration of life occurs directly through the primary parent/guardian. As the child grows, learns and develops, a certain attachment relationship forms between him and the main adult present in this process. Additionally, this attachment has enormous implications regarding the child's future relationships and social success. Children trust that their parental figure will be there; as a result, children who form appropriate attachments internalize an image of their world as stable, safe, and secure. These children will become independent while maintaining a bond with their guardians. (Day, 2006). However, when a child fucks...... middle of paper...... H. (October 13, 2009). Forty-four juvenile thieves revisited: From Bowlby to reactive attachment disorder. . Retrieved February 25, 2014 from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01048.x/fullHall, SEK and Geher, G. (2003). Behavioral and personality characteristics of children with reactive attachment disorder. The Journal of Psychology, 137, 145-162. Retrieved February 25, 2014 from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00223980309600605#.U2H4vl69ZuYMarwick, H., Minnis, H., Arthur, J., & Alexis, M. (May 9, 2006 ). Reactive attachment disorder: A theoretical model beyond attachment. Retrieved February 25, 2014 from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=90fcde98-dcd9-465b-b3fd-193bdc468041%40sessionmgr114&vid=2&hid=101 Solomon, J. and George, C. . (1999). Disorganization of attachment. New York: Guilford Press.