It is very exciting that you are considering to adopt a child who has special
needs. Just as choosing to adopt internationally is a big decision, so is
adopting a child who has special needs. Below are some points that we ask you to
carefully weigh as you make your decision.
Are you realistically examining your resources?
- Financial Resources? – Can your family accommodate the costs that may be associated with the diagnosed condition and any potential undiagnosed conditions that may be identified later?
- Community Resources? Are educational and medical facilities available in your area for a child with this type of special need?
- Insurance? – The Health Insurance Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-191, known as the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill) bans group health insurance carriers from using pre-existing condition
limitations to exclude newly adopted children from coverage. However, you need
to contact your health insurance carrier to determine any conditions that may be
applied.
Information Seeking…
- Research – Use the internet, your local
library or medical libraries to learn more about the child's special need. The
more educated you are, the better decisions you can make.
- Medical Advice – We strongly encourage you to
get in touch with your pediatrician to discuss the child's medical
information. Your pediatrician should also be able to refer you to a specialist
who may be able to give you more specific information about the condition and
the child's prognosis.
- By researching this
condition on your own first, you will have a better idea of what questions you
should ask doctors.
- Doctors may be able to
suggest additional information that, if provided by the foreign country, would
be helpful in gaining a better picture of the child’s overall health. Please
do not hesitate to pass these inquiries to us, but be aware that it may not be
possible for all of the questions to be answered. We are limited to the level of
information that the foreign country is willing or able to provide us.
- Other Parents – Talk
with other parents who have children with similar special needs. They will be
able to provide you with wonderful insight into parenting a child with a special
need and may also be able to recommend additional resources with which to
consult.
- Your Social Worker – The social worker who
completed your home study may have some valuable insight and information about
further resources that could be helpful to you. You will also need to make sure
that you can be approved in your home study for a child with such a special
need, if you are not approved already.
Important points to remember….
- This child’s condition may or may not be correctly diagnosed by the foreign medical professionals. The condition could be much more severe or much better than you anticipate.
- You must be prepared for
either possibility. You must take into consideration the child’s age and
situation. Along with the special need, issues that are common in international
adoption include institutionalization, bonding and developmental delays. These
should also be accepted as issues associated with international adoption.
- The decision to accept this
referral is yours only. When inquiring with doctors, other parents, or your
social worker, you are seeking advice and information only. No one can tell you
what your decision ‘should’ be.
- Be realistic. If it doesn't seem right, don’t accept the referral.
- Act quickly. Indecision may
take away this child’s opportunity for this child’s placement with you OR
this child’s referral to another family. However, it is understood that you
may be limited by factors such as a doctor’s availability, for example.
- Keep FTIA posted on your
progress as you work towards a final decision. We want to know that you are
actively seeking information and researching. It is very important to us and to
the child that decisions are made in a timely manner.
China
Guatemala
Russia
Vietnam
India
Ethiopia