Adoption

Adopting the Special Needs Child
By Katrina L. Cassel

When you read the title of this article, what goes through your mind? Do you think of an infant with Down's Syndrome, or perhaps a cleft palate? Special needs infants are only one type of child awaiting adoption. Many of the children are older, have emotional or behavioral problems, or are part of a sibling group.

Whether you are considering an infant or an older child, consider these things:

• Are your schedule and lifestyle flexible? Adopting a child who needs extra time, attention, and care will mean a change in your routine. You may have doctor appointments, therapy sessions, counseling sessions, and school conferences on a regular basis. Problems occur unexpectedly causing sudden changes in plans.
• Do you have the extra time for the things mentioned above? Time to sit in waiting rooms and principals offices? Time to teach the child skills over and over if needed?
• What kind of medical problems, handicaps, and behaviors are you willing to accept? We are in the processing adopting a special needs infant. The child has a genetic syndrome that caused birth anomalies that require numerous surgeries. Another of our adopted children has serious behavioral problems that upset the family routine. What will you and won't you accept?
• Are there medical and educational services available in your community? Can you get the child the help he needs? Are counseling or specialized therapy available? Does your insurance cover these things?
• Can you accept this child as your own? Will your feelings change as the child matures? This is a tough question. Perhaps you are adopting an infant who is mentally challenged. Will you still feel the same about the child when he is a teen and no longer cute and cuddly? Can you treat a child with challenging behaviors the same as you would a birth child?

Adopting is a rewarding way to add to your family. There are many special needs children awaiting homes. Is there room in your home and your heart for one of them?

While waiting
Whether you have a specific child in mind, or are waiting for a referral, here are some things to do:

• Find out all you can about the child. What is known about the child? What information is missing?
• Line up your medical, counseling, and educational services. Most communities have preschool programs for children with special needs ages three and four and services for babies with special needs or who are at high risk.
• Line up your own support team. Do you have family members or friends that you can call when you need a break or need help?
• Look for support groups. You may want to join an adoption support group or a support group for children with special needs. Your local social services office or pediatrician should be able to help you find what you need.
• Look for books about adoption at your local library. Find ones both for yourself and for your children.

Adoption Information

• www.adopt.org Provides adoption information as well as photos of over 3,300 children awaiting adoption in the United States.
• www.adopting.org Provides lots of advice, books, and other resources.
• www.rainbowkids.com This website has a photolisting of children from newborn to 16 years old who are awaiting adoption in various countries. Warning: It's very easy to fall in love with the children in the pictures!
• Adoptive Families of America, 2309 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108 Publishes the Adoptive Families magazine, provides parenting resources for adoptive families, and has a catalogue of ethnic dolls, books, and other items. Call 1 800 372 3300 to find out how to get their very informative "Guide to Adoption."

Katrina Cassel, M.Ed., lives with her husband, five of their children, and an assortment of pets in the Florida panhandle. Katrina is the author of five books including: Celebrate Creation (Shining Star), The Junior High Survival Guide (Concordia Publishing House), The Christian Girl's Guide to Being Your Best (Legacy Press), and The Christian Girl's Guide to the Bible (Legacy Press, July 03). Coming soon: The Christian Girl's Guide to Knowing Yourself: A Quiz Book for Girls, Just for Me: The Bible, Just for Me: Friends Legacy Press.