The Pediatrician’s Role in Supporting Adoptive Families

Abstract

Each year, more children join families through adoption. Pediatricians have an important role in assisting adoptive families in the various challenges they may face with respect to adoption. The acceptance of the differences between families formed through birth and those formed through adoption is essential in promoting positive emotional growth within the family. It is important for pediatricians to be aware of the adoptive parents’ need to be supported in their communication with their adopted children.

Comprehensive Health Evaluation of the Newly Adopted Child

“…16,21 Even if transitions into an adoptive home are gradual, most children experience grief with the change in their caregivers, peers, and home environment. 16,95,96 Sleep problems are also common. 16,95,96 Difficulties in timing, location, duration, and quality of sleep are typical.…”

“…16,95,96 Sleep problems are also common. 16,95,96 Difficulties in timing, location, duration, and quality of sleep are typical. 16 Feeding problems may present after adoption.…”

“…16 Pediatricians need to counsel families about potential adjustment issues and encourage them to look for cues that the children may be overwhelmed and help them to develop strategies to promote strong, healthy attachments within the family unit. 96 Parenting strategies to address overeating, food hoarding, and sleep struggles may need to be different from usual pediatric advice, addressing the child's need for extra security around food and sleep.…”

International Adoption: Journey of An Indian Girl from a Child Care Institute to France

“…Evidence indicates that the degree of recovery is related to two variables namely, age at adoption and duration of stay in the child care facility [4]. In India, many children are given up after adoption due to inadequate pre-adoption preparation [5]. This case demonstrates that pediatricians can play a critical role in determining a positive post-adoption outcome by implementing an individualized intervention plan for preparing a child exposed to the pernicious experience of institutional care.…”

Efectos de Adopción Y Crianza Homoparental

“…Otro aspecto que se ha estudiado es el relacionado con los efectos de la adopción. El significado y el alcance de ser adoptado, cambian en el niño de acuerdo a la etapa del desarrollo en que esto suceda [18]. Se considera que, hasta los 3 años de edad, la mayoría de los niños adoptados no se dan cuenta de que existe una diferencia entre su familia y las familias en las que los hijos son criados por padres biológicos.…”