Adopting the Special Needs Child

by Sue Merriam
(Arcadia, OK)

All internationally adopted children will be special needs children to a certain degree. Unless your child is an infant when you bring her home, she will have suffered through the loss of a family and spent time in an orphanage.

But what are some other issues you may face when raising adopted children? Here are some challenges you may have to deal with.

Developmental Delays

This is one of the most common issues you will have to deal with. Most of the children available for international adoption will have some sort of developmental delay or even learning disabilities. Considering that they have been institutionalized since birth, this is only to be expected. The good news is, with a little patience and one-on-one attention, these children catch up quickly and become happy, healthy, loving and bright children.

Physical Problems

Children with cleft palates, encephalitis and down syndrome are also available for adoption. Children with physical challenges are usually put on a waiting children list, which means you can generally adopt these children in a much shorter time period.

As for children with down syndrome, there are a surprising number of families who are waiting to adopt one of these precious children, so don't choose one of these children out of a sense of guilt or obligation.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

If your internationally adopted child's birth mother drank alcohol while she was pregnant, you child may experience difficulties such as poor socialization skills, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems, including trouble concentrating, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

Fetal Drug Effects

Babies with fetal drug effects can be especially fussy and irritable the first year, have problems sleeping, and can be sensitive to bright lights and loud noises. These children may have some learning disabilities later in life as well as speech problems, but otherwise will lead normal lives.

My oldest son was exposed to drugs in the womb, and while he still struggles with speech, he is doing well in school, and I have no doubt he will be a successful adult. You can learn more about fetal drug effects and how to overcome drug addiction by visiting Surviving Drug Addiction.