How is a child classified as a special needs adoption in the state of Texas? Race? Age? Sibling group?

Question

How is a child classified as a special needs adoption in the state of Texas? Race? Age? Sibling group?

Answer 1

Each state sets their own criteria in order to classify a child or children as Special Needs.

Each state gets to define the children in their custody as special needs based on the issues that make children in that state more difficult to place.

A good resource for information is:

http://www.childwelfare.gov/

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Answer 2

You would have to check with your Department of Children and Families, but in general, any difficult-to-place child is considered "special needs" in this context, including children over six years old, minority and/or biracial children, and sibling groups.

Answer 3

Definition of Special Needs

The child must be younger than 18 years old and meet one of the following criteria when the adoptive placement agreement is signed:

The child is at least six years old;

the child is at least two years old and a member of a minority group that traditionally has barriers to adoption;

the child is being adopted with a sibling or to join a sibling; or

the child has a verifiable physical, mental, or emotional handicapping condition, as established by an appropriately qualified professional through a diagnosis that addresses: (a) what the condition is; and (b) that the condition is indeed handicapping.

The state must determine that the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of his parents.

A reasonable effort must be made to find an adoptive placement without providing adoption assistance, unless doing so is against the child's best interests.

Answer 4

While I cannot speak for Texas in Illinois any child who is above the age of five with siblings may be considered a special needs (they want to keep brothers and sisters together if possible.) any child requireing medication on a daily basis for the rest of there lives is considered special needs. Any child in need of services for s*x abuse, physical abuse, ADHD, can be considered special needs... Any child dependent on durable medical equipment ( a wheelchair, nebulizer or vent, or O2 is considered special needs.) Any child requireing around the clock care for any reason is considered special needs. I am sure there are other cicumstances but these are just a few. Hope it helps...