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