Are you meeting the mental health and developmental needs of your adopted child?

Question

The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute just came out with this recent study on adoption and I was wondering if anyone has read it and what they thought about it?

Heres a recap and then I'll provide the link for those of you who haven't read it to read ( if you want ) and then give your feedback...

ADOPTIVE PARENT PREPARATION PROJECT PHASE I: MEETING THE MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF ADOPTED CHILDREN

This policy and practice paper outlines best practices for preparing adoptive parents to meet the mental health and developmental needs of their children.

The second phase of this project involves the development of a comprehensive set of curriculum modules for training parents on the mental health, developmental, and child-rearing issues related to adoption.

So go check it out and pay attention to: OBSTACLES TO ADOPTIVE PARENT PREPARATION & EDUCATION and tell me what you think.

http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/research/2008_02_parent_prep.php

Answer 1

My answer to your first question is yes. Educating myself on meeting the mental health and developmental needs of my child was a priority. Learning early-on about identity issues for the adopted child was key to my decision to maintain an open adoption.

In addition to my own research I was fortunate to also have the guidance of a few well educated adoption counselors. Our adoption took place over 10 years ago and although this document is very recent the content is very familiar to me. The whole process for me was about the child and the bio mom. Never did I feel entitled.

Perhaps I was just lucky to have been in the company of some well educated and qualified professionals.  I know they exist because that was my experience.

Answer 2

There should be a study on 'meeting the needs of children period'.

With so many c**p parents out there, I would think an adoption research study is the last area that would need to be focused on.

Answer 3

I haven't read it. But I guess most parents will do the best they can for their child adopted or not. Mine although did a bad job as they were abusive.

Answer 4

Can anyone really say that they are meeting ALL of the needs of their child, adopted or biological?  The fact that adopted children probably have more needs (especially mental health/emotional) means that adopted parents REALLY need some sort of a support network.  I only wish that I could find a good one.

Answer 5

Thanks Gershom, I hadn't seen this yet. I agree with everything within. Thanks for sharing.

Answer 6

Thanks Gershom!  I agree with everything the study had to say. It would be wonderful to have access to all of this information instead of having to track it all down myself.  Not to mention having an organized group class would provide a wider depth of info than i could accomplish on my own.  I have it bookmarked.  Thanks for another great site.

Answer 7

Thank you for that!  It's on the top of my list of "things to do" for the weekend (I've got a busy two days ahead, so just rushing around reading what I can for now - it has been bookmarked).