Yeah, sounds like they are thinking in terms of it being a family system problem....you know, could be that difficult child would be "superficially charming" in foster car or residential and make you all seem like you all are crazy (ask some here how that goes...) OR they would get data that would show that he has such difficult problems that no home can handle it.... so they might then see how he needs more intensive therapeutic placement.... HMMM??? Yeah, hope the psychiatrist is better than therapist and can give them a clue. What is your dream intervention??
(if this is an attachment disorder, they may not get it unless you find an expert in this... every book says that typically therapists and doctors ---and social workers etc....school too.... can do more harm because everyone becomes polarized by these radishes (Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) kids) who are so good at fooling others by being manipulative and sweet around them. They know how to play people. It takes someone who gets that THAT is a symptom to really help them to make progress. The experts say these folks who dont understand often are not only not effective but do more damage because they further increase the divide. And indeed, some kids with attachment issues do better in settings where they dont have to face the daily grind of being around people that they are expected to trust and attach to, it may just be too hard for them if they are now hard wired not to be able to fully bond)