We went into our adoption process assuming that we would have to deal with some medical, physical and developmental issues as a result of our daughter spending the first 16 months of her life in two orphanages. I just had the mindset that this was a part of the process. I think having this mindset helped me in dealing with any issues that have cropped up in the ten months that we have been home. It was and still is my opinion that most adopted children are “special needs” children,at least at first and especially those who spent time in an orphanage versus foster care. I think that even the best run orphanages cannot meet the needs of a child and therefore a child suffers. The time spent in an orphanage can cause a multitude of issues. That does not mean that adopted children don’t thrive, excel and beat the odds.


I was not one of those Paps who fretted over head circumference and fetal alcohol syndrome. With new stories of disruptions I wonder if its better that Pap’s go into their international adoption preparing themselves for the worst but hoping for the best. Adopted children can come home healthy and unscathed or end up with a dizzying array of alphabet soup of disorders such as Rad, fas, fase, Sid, adhd, autism and so on. It was our intention to take care of our daughter’s medical issues first, get her acclimated to her new environment and then deal with developmental issues as we go along. Some behaviors such as Mommy shopping have dissipated, some behaviors have intensified and most of the time she is just a typical active toddler who has come a long way.


Special needs can mean physical, mental, emotional, or developmental issues. Livi is developing typically and is on target for her age range but has special needs with her fine motor, emotional and sensory issues. There is a wide array and special needs an adopted child can have. They can vary in intensity. What’s your view on this? Are all PI children special needs? What was your mindset? Do you think its best to go into an adoption with the thought that your child may have some issues?

maybe " at risk" is a better term?


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