As you may remember one part of the adoption application was to consider what type of child you would consider. You may think that is an easy question, it is actually one of the most complex questions.
When you hear the term special needs adoption you may automatically think of a child who has physical disabilities. While children with physical disabilities are special needs children there is also many other conditions or circumstances that would make the child a special needs child.
Some of the other reasons that a child may be labeled as special needs are:
• If they are part of a sibling group that must be adopted together
• If they are a member of a minority
• If they are over the age of two and a minority
• If they are over the age of six
• If they have a physical handicap
• If they have a mental disability
• If they have emotional problems.
Older children are deemed hard to place because there are so many families that will only consider to adopting an infant.
When we completed this part of our application we said we would welcome a child who is part of a sibling group, no more than two children, race and ethnicity we had no preference. We also said we would discuss children with disabilities.
Some potential adoption families won’t consider any child with a disability, think of it this way, if you have a biological child can you guarantee the child will not have any disabilities? If your child does have a disability would you place that child up for adoption or would you adjust to give that child the best possible life? When you adopt a child with special needs you will have so many resources to help you. You will be given support that varies from informational to respite care. Respite care is so you the primary care givers will be able to have someone who is trained watch your child for you, so that you can have some Mom & Dad time.
Special needs adoptions also come with some financial assistance and your child may even get Medicaid until the age of 18