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