Prenatal Exposure
Adoptive parents sometimes decide whether to adopt a child with the risk factor of prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs. This can include substances such as alcohol, methamphetamines, marijuana, heroin, crack, oxycodone, prescription drugs, or other drugs.
Exposure during pregnancy to alcohol and drugs can cause long-lasting impacts, including physical and cognitive (brain) damage in a developing fetus. Prospective adoptive parents need to understand the potential impacts on a child who was exposed prenatally to alcohol or drug exposure for both the short- and long-term.
Parents need evidence-based tools to support their children with the issues associated with in-utero substance exposure. Creating a Family has interviewed many experts in the field, including pediatricians, therapists, and experts on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, to support parents who are considering adopting a child with prenatal exposure or parents who are already raising kids with any type of substance exposure. We also have various content for foster and kinship families that address the unique needs of foster and kinship children with a history of exposure.
Creating a Family has many resources on raising kids with a history of prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs. A few of the most recent Creating a Family resources we think you will find particularly helpful are:
- Lying & Stealing: How to Parent Challenging Behaviors (article)
- Why is it Taking So Long to Get an Adoption Match? (article)
- Explaining Prenatal Exposure to Your Child (article)
- Prenatal Exposure: Diagnosing and Treatment (1 hr. podcast w/ expert)
- Therapeutic Parenting: Strategies and Solutions (1 hr. podcast w/ expert)
- Suggested Books on Prenatal Exposure and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome for Adoptive Parents (booklists)
Many more Creating a Family articles, podcasts, and fact sheets on Prenatal Exposure can be found at the icons below.
Sources: Creating a Family radio shows below
Image credit: monkeyjunkie
Additional Resources
