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Article #245: The Pediatrician's Role in Adoption

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The Pediatrician's Role in Adoption specific issues to you. Often you will
Mardie Caldwell COAP have a list of all the diagnoses that
Daniel and Megan felt drawn to the little have been assigned to your child. A
dark-haired child they had seen in the pediatrician can explain them in
orphanage half way around the world, but terminology that you can understand and
they felt they had more questions than discuss possible long-term problems of
answers. "Where do we start?" Megan asked particular disorders. For example, if a
as we spoke on the phone. The adoption child has a diagnosis of Attention
agency needed an answer and they felt Deficit Disorder, your pediatrician can
frozen in their fear. After receiving explain behaviors that are typical and
guidance and answers from other adoptive problems other parents have had in
parents who had the same questions as dealing with their children.
Daniel and Megan, they soon brought home Your pediatrician will also model some
their little daughter. Megan shared later language choices that you may not have
how the advice to seek a pediatrician thought of previously. For example, most
early in the process helped them learn pediatricians will refer to all the
what to expect in their adoption and to siblings in a family as brother or sister
have a realistic view of the challenges not 'adopted brother' or 'adopted
they might face. Now, 6 years later, they sister.' Pediatricians are careful not to
have adopted two more children, another say 'natural parent' when speaking of the
girl and a boy from the same country. child's birth parent. The term 'natural
When considering adoption, parents should parent' implies that you are then the
always consult a pediatrician. 'unnatural parent.'
Pediatricians with knowledge of the You must be comfortable talking openly
special needs of older children or with your pediatrician about all issues
international adoptions can be a wealth relating to the adoption of a new member
of information regarding issues that may into your family. If you do not already
arise with your adoptive child. They can have a family pediatrician, ask other
provide vital data before the adoption, adoptive parents for recommendations and
help with the decision making while in then interview several different
the process of adoption, and assist with pediatricians to find one that seems to
on-going issues after the adoption. best fit you and your family. Difficult
Discussing your plans to adopt with a questions may be hard for you to ask but
pediatrician will give you much needed will probably reveal the most important
information about mental and medical information to you. For instance, you may
needs that your adoptive child may have. hear that a child you wanted to adopt is
Your pediatrician can explain some going to have a lot of issues that you
problems common to newly adopted don't think you can handle. By discussing
children. They may discuss issues of those issues openly, you will be able to
attachment, loss, and grief that adoptive prepare yourself fully for the adoption
children often go through. Your of your child. Or, after discussing the
pediatrician may also discuss physical possible issues, you may decide that this
and medical issues that your adoptive child is not right for you. Do not be
child may be facing. Meeting with your afraid to ask a lot of questions. Your
pediatrician before you start the pediatrician's job is to help you be the
adoption process will bring medical and best parent you can be.
mental health issues to light that you Of course, your pediatrician will be of
possibly were not aware of before. Such a extreme help to you throughout your
meeting helped Megan and Daniel decide to child's life.
adopt two more children. They gained If you would like to learn more about
knowledge and confidence, and their fear domestic and international adoptions,
was minimized. visit to hear interviews with adoption
After starting the adoption process, a professionals, physicians, and adoptive
pediatrician can be an invaluable asset parents. Having good information can make
to you. If you are able bring the medical your adoption journey as successful as
and mental health records of the child to for the journey of adoptive parents,
your pediatrician, they can explain Megan and Daniel.






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