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Article #108: The Pediatrician's Role in Adoption

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






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