| There are tens of thousands of children in | | | | of abuse or neglect, have conditions that may |
| the United States who have special needs and | | | | lead to problems in the future, or have had |
| are waiting for permanent homes. In the past, | | | | some form of prenatal exposure to drugs or |
| children who have special needs have been | | | | alcohol. Nearly all special needs children |
| generally considered harder to place for | | | | who are eligible for adoption are currently |
| adoption than others, but in reality, many | | | | in foster care.Nearly any adoptive parent who |
| children with special needs can be | | | | has the commitment, skills, and preparation |
| successfully placed. The Adoption and Safe | | | | to adopt may adopt a special needs child. |
| Families Act of 1997 has focused more | | | | Most agencies differ in their specific |
| attention on finding permanent homes for | | | | requirements for adopting a special needs |
| those children who have special needs as well | | | | child, and the requirements for age and |
| as making certain that they have the post | | | | marital status tend to be less restrictive |
| adoption services they need.When used in | | | | for special needs children. Most agencies |
| adoption, "special needs" may include several | | | | will consider both single and married |
| factors, and sometimes vary from one state to | | | | applicants from 18 to 50 years of age, and |
| another. In general, children with special | | | | sometimes even older than 50. The age is |
| needs have physical or health problems, are | | | | often considered differently depending on the |
| older, are members of a minority group, have | | | | age of the child. Most agencies require that |
| siblings and need to be adopted as a group, | | | | married couples be married for at least 1 to |
| have HIV, have emotional problems, a history | | | | 3 years. |