| The Pediatrician's Role in Adoption | | | | explain specific issues to you. Often |
| Mardie Caldwell COAP | | | | you will have a list of all the |
| Daniel and Megan felt drawn to the | | | | diagnoses that have been assigned to |
| little dark-haired child they had seen | | | | your child. A pediatrician can explain |
| in the orphanage half way around the | | | | them in terminology that you can |
| world, but they felt they had more | | | | understand and discuss possible |
| questions than answers. "Where do we | | | | long-term problems of particular |
| start?" Megan asked as we spoke on the | | | | disorders. For example, if a child has a |
| phone. The adoption agency needed an | | | | diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder, |
| answer and they felt frozen in their | | | | your pediatrician can explain behaviors |
| fear. After receiving guidance and | | | | that are typical and problems other |
| answers from other adoptive parents who | | | | parents have had in dealing with their |
| had the same questions as Daniel and | | | | children. |
| Megan, they soon brought home their | | | | Your pediatrician will also model some |
| little daughter. Megan shared later how | | | | language choices that you may not have |
| the advice to seek a pediatrician early | | | | thought of previously. For example, most |
| in the process helped them learn what to | | | | pediatricians will refer to all the |
| expect in their adoption and to have a | | | | siblings in a family as brother or |
| realistic view of the challenges they | | | | sister not 'adopted brother' or 'adopted |
| might face. Now, 6 years later, they | | | | sister.' Pediatricians are careful not |
| have adopted two more children, another | | | | to 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 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 |
| needs that your adoptive child may have. | | | | may hear that a child you wanted to |
| Your pediatrician can explain some | | | | adopt is going to have a lot of issues |
| problems common to newly adopted | | | | that you don't think you can handle. By |
| children. They may discuss issues of | | | | discussing those issues openly, you will |
| attachment, loss, and grief that | | | | be able to prepare yourself fully for |
| adoptive children often go through. Your | | | | the adoption of your child. Or, after |
| pediatrician may also discuss physical | | | | discussing the possible issues, you may |
| and medical issues that your adoptive | | | | decide that this child is not right for |
| child may be facing. Meeting with your | | | | you. Do not be afraid to ask a lot of |
| pediatrician before you start the | | | | questions. Your pediatrician's job is to |
| adoption process will bring medical and | | | | help you be the 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 | | | | extreme help to you throughout your |
| a meeting helped Megan and Daniel decide | | | | child's life. |
| to 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 |
| to you. If you are able bring the | | | | make your adoption journey as successful |
| medical and mental health records of the | | | | as for the journey of adoptive parents, |
| child to your pediatrician, they can | | | | Megan and Daniel. |