An in-depth analysis of domestically adopted children with special needs and their biological mothers

Abstract

• Summary: In 2001, federal research funding (#90-CO-0960) was awarded to conduct an in-depth study of one agency’s experience with domestic special needs adoption placements (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2001). This private Ohio agency has been involved in the placement of special needs children since the beginning of the US special needs adoption movement in 1976. A rigorous and comprehensive chart review was conducted profiling 362 consecutively referred special needs adoption cases from 1997 to 2005, providing one of the most accurate and in-depth profiles of both special needs adoption children and their biological mothers to date. • Findings: In summing the major child and biological mother risk factors reported in this study (i.e. child neglect + child physical abuse + child sexual abuse + child prenatal drug exposure + child positive toxicology screen at birth + maternal mental illness + maternal substance abuse + maternal homelessness + maternal history of domestic violence + parental incarceration + and death of a significant person), youth averaged 4.7 (SD = 1.61) cumulative risk factors, not including poverty, multiple placement disruptions, and other undocumented risk factors. • Applications: Accurate and comprehensive profiling of child and biological parent characteristics are required to inform the service needs of at-risk families, domestic special needs adopted children, and adoptive parents. Implications for adoptive parent recruitment, training, and support, as well child monitoring and treatment are discussed.