Your ultimate adoption resource


The Pediatrician's Role in Adoption

The Pediatrician's Role in Adoptionexplain specific issues to you. Often
Mardie Caldwell COAPyou will have a list of all the
Daniel and Megan felt drawn to thediagnoses that have been assigned to
little dark-haired child they had seenyour child. A pediatrician can explain
in the orphanage half way around thethem in terminology that you can
world, but they felt they had moreunderstand and discuss possible
questions than answers. "Where do welong-term problems of particular
start?" Megan asked as we spoke on thedisorders. For example, if a child has a
phone. The adoption agency needed andiagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder,
answer and they felt frozen in theiryour pediatrician can explain behaviors
fear. After receiving guidance andthat are typical and problems other
answers from other adoptive parents whoparents have had in dealing with their
had the same questions as Daniel andchildren.
Megan, they soon brought home theirYour pediatrician will also model some
little daughter. Megan shared later howlanguage choices that you may not have
the advice to seek a pediatrician earlythought of previously. For example, most
in the process helped them learn what topediatricians will refer to all the
expect in their adoption and to have asiblings in a family as brother or
realistic view of the challenges theysister not 'adopted brother' or 'adopted
might face. Now, 6 years later, theysister.' Pediatricians are careful not
have adopted two more children, anotherto say 'natural parent' when speaking of
girl and a boy from the same country.the child's birth parent. The term
When considering adoption, parents'natural parent' implies that you are
should always consult a pediatrician.then the 'unnatural parent.'
Pediatricians with knowledge of theYou must be comfortable talking openly
special needs of older children orwith your pediatrician about all issues
international adoptions can be a wealthrelating to the adoption of a new member
of information regarding issues that mayinto your family. If you do not already
arise with your adoptive child. They canhave a family pediatrician, ask other
provide vital data before the adoption,adoptive parents for recommendations and
help with the decision making while inthen interview several different
the process of adoption, and assist withpediatricians 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 aquestions may be hard for you to ask but
pediatrician will give you much neededwill probably reveal the most important
information about mental and medicalinformation to you. For instance, you
needs that your adoptive child may have.may hear that a child you wanted to
Your pediatrician can explain someadopt is going to have a lot of issues
problems common to newly adoptedthat you don't think you can handle. By
children. They may discuss issues ofdiscussing those issues openly, you will
attachment, loss, and grief thatbe able to prepare yourself fully for
adoptive children often go through. Yourthe adoption of your child. Or, after
pediatrician may also discuss physicaldiscussing the possible issues, you may
and medical issues that your adoptivedecide that this child is not right for
child may be facing. Meeting with youryou. Do not be afraid to ask a lot of
pediatrician before you start thequestions. Your pediatrician's job is to
adoption process will bring medical andhelp you be the best parent you can be.
mental health issues to light that youOf course, your pediatrician will be of
possibly were not aware of before. Suchextreme help to you throughout your
a meeting helped Megan and Daniel decidechild's life.
to adopt two more children. They gainedIf you would like to learn more about
knowledge and confidence, and their feardomestic and international adoptions,
was minimized.visit to hear interviews with adoption
After starting the adoption process, aprofessionals, physicians, and adoptive
pediatrician can be an invaluable assetparents. Having good information can
to you. If you are able bring themake your adoption journey as successful
medical and mental health records of theas for the journey of adoptive parents,
child to your pediatrician, they canMegan and Daniel.



1 A B C D 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107