DIRECTOR'S VISION
It’s time to wake up and change the way people look at adorable-looking children who act their hurt and rage out first on family members, then later, on society. No one wants to hear this, but children as young as four regularly attempt or kill family pets then threaten to kill thosze who object. Others stealthily cruise their homes at night setting fires, wielding knives, frightening siblings and worse.
Neglected children routinely hoard food, hide it for later, urinate into unexpected places, and smeared feces becomes calling cards. Children like this deliver "The Look," an icy-I'm-gonna-kill-you-when-I-feel-like-it stare that mothers and siblings believe.
Naively, we describe such bizarre behavior as 'imagined' or 'a passing phase,' and don't realize those symptoms announce the presence of victims of early childhood abuse. Children traumatized before the development of language can't report or comprehend the crimes against them so simply react, often become violent and serve up more of what they've experienced.
Jane E. Ryan, author of Broken Spirits Lost Souls, a non-fiction book offering an overview about the effects of bonding interruptions through neglect and/or abuse has done it again. This time Ryan has written a novel and the award-winning screenplay entitled The Boarder, which demonstrates Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) in the most vivid, personal way – within the arms of a family desperate to understand and help their disturbed son.
Most remain blind to this terrifying malady that's increasing exponentially, especially among uprooted, foster and adopted children. After decades of study few professionals understand that abused children react abnormally to love, affection or discipline.
Youngsters with RAD occur among all cultures and races, and clearly, no family or country is prepared to deal with potential versions of the Columbine killers.
A British mom described disturbed children like hers, "They're like boarders in a boardinghouse – they sleep in your home and eat at your table, but you never really know who they are," gave Jane the perfect title for her works.
THE BOARDER is based on Jane Ryan's own experiences with two disturbed adopted children and of international families who, like Jane, believed they could simply love the problem away.
Sadly, the lack of parental support and education about what their children's pasts and behaviors hindered their ability to develop in healthy ways.
Neglected children routinely hoard food, hide it for later, urinate into unexpected places, and smeared feces becomes calling cards. Children like this deliver "The Look," an icy-I'm-gonna-kill-you-when-I-feel-like-it stare that mothers and siblings believe.
Naively, we describe such bizarre behavior as 'imagined' or 'a passing phase,' and don't realize those symptoms announce the presence of victims of early childhood abuse. Children traumatized before the development of language can't report or comprehend the crimes against them so simply react, often become violent and serve up more of what they've experienced.
Jane E. Ryan, author of Broken Spirits Lost Souls, a non-fiction book offering an overview about the effects of bonding interruptions through neglect and/or abuse has done it again. This time Ryan has written a novel and the award-winning screenplay entitled The Boarder, which demonstrates Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) in the most vivid, personal way – within the arms of a family desperate to understand and help their disturbed son.
Most remain blind to this terrifying malady that's increasing exponentially, especially among uprooted, foster and adopted children. After decades of study few professionals understand that abused children react abnormally to love, affection or discipline.
Youngsters with RAD occur among all cultures and races, and clearly, no family or country is prepared to deal with potential versions of the Columbine killers.
A British mom described disturbed children like hers, "They're like boarders in a boardinghouse – they sleep in your home and eat at your table, but you never really know who they are," gave Jane the perfect title for her works.
THE BOARDER is based on Jane Ryan's own experiences with two disturbed adopted children and of international families who, like Jane, believed they could simply love the problem away.
Sadly, the lack of parental support and education about what their children's pasts and behaviors hindered their ability to develop in healthy ways.