Special needs adoptions refers to any adoption of a child that has needs that might makes it harder to find an adoptive family. These special needs can range from minor medically correctable issues to life altering conditions. It also includes older children and sibling groups. Adoptive parents considering special needs adoption choose which special needs they think is the best fit for their family.
The waiting time for an international adoption is usually less when adopting a child with special needs, but we caution parents to not make a decision based exclusively on speed when considering a special need adoption. It is important to educate yourself on the realities of parenting a child with this special need first. Creating a Family has many resources to help educate you.
Creating a Family has many resources on special needs adoption. A few we think you will find particularly helpful are:
- Practical Tips for Parenting a Child With ADHD (blog post)
- A Letter to My Adopted Child’s Teacher (blog post)
- The Scariest Special Need of All – Would You Adopt This Child? (blog post)
- Evaluating Risk Factors in International Adoption (1 hr. radio interview w/ expert)
- Typical Behaviors of Children Adopted Internationally (1 hr. radio interview w/ expert)
- Adopting a Child With Down Syndrome (1 hr. radio show w/ expert)
- Common Special Needs in International Adoption (1 hr. radio show w/ expert)
Many more Creating a Family radio interviews with experts, videos, blogs, fact sheets, and Q and A’s with Experts on adopting a child with special needs can be found at the icons below.
Sources: Creating a Family shows below
Image credit: Chayuth
Additional Resources
