Mental Illness & Learning Disabilities In A Adoptive/Foster Parent?

Question

I Was Wondering Can Someone With Mental Illness & Learning Disabilities Become An Adoptive Parent?

She Is Thinking About Adopting In A Few Years (She's Only 19 Now) But Her Mental Illness & Learning Disabilities Are Not Bad At All, It Takes Her Longer To Learn But By Talking To Her You'd Never Know She Had Any Type Of Learning Disability & As Far As Her Mental Illness Goes, It's Mostly Do To Her Having A Bad Family Life When She Was Younger, All She Needs Is Therapy To Hanndle It.

She Has A Nice Job Now & Should Have A Well Paying Career When The Time Comes To Adopt...But Does She Stand A Chance With Her Past Being How It Is?

Will Having A Few Years Healthy & Stable Track Record Help, Or Is It All But Hopeless Do To Her Past?

What About Private Adoption, Does The Standared Change?

She Wants To Foster/Adopt 6 Year Olds Or Older.

Even If They Won't Let Her Adopt What Of Fostering?

Thanks For Your Thoughts,

I Just Hope Her Past Won't Hinder Her, She Has A Great Heart

Answer 1

Yes, she can adopt and foster. The issue isn't what the diagnosis is, it's how well she copes and whether she is able to be a good parent.

MANY people with mental illnesses and learning disabilities are fabulous parents.

All this being said... I would recommend this person really research adoption well before deciding whether to do it or not, and before deciding which type of adoption to pursue. There are all kinds of ethical issues and challenges in adoption completely separate from mental illness. If she is only 19, she's got PLENTY of time to decide what to do with her life--there is no reason to become set on adopting at this point in time.

Answer 2

I don't think so.  I have known many women who have been coerced out of their children for having those kinds of symptoms.  If it is public knowledge, then she won't be allowed to adopt.

Answer 3

I think she could adopt easily, have you seen some of the foster parents.

Answer 4

chances are slim to none. if she lies like mine did, she'll be just fine. just tell them what they want to hear. that's what adoption is all about.

Answer 5

I think that in reality that depends on her actual diagnosis. Are you talking about depression and dyslexia, or schizophrenia and Gerstmann-Strä ussler-Scheinker disease

That is a question that we cannot answer unless you want to provide some more details there are varying degree of both mental illness and learning disabilities .Depression and dyslexia than yes.. the other one I could not see someone apporving her.

Answer 6

I know in the state of MA the answer is yes as long as you have a letter from your psychiatrist or counsellor that says you are capable