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The journey to adopt a child who has special needs: Parents' perspectives

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  • Denby, Ramona W.
  • Alford, Keith A.
  • Ayala, Jessica

Abstract

Many of the children eligible for adoption from the public child welfare system are considered to have special needs. Given the importance of securing adoptive families for these children, knowing more about the adoption process as it is experienced by prospective parents who complete (or are in the process of completing) their adoption pursuit and those who discontinue it are critical. Using qualitative inquiry, prospective adoptive parents in nine families were studied in an effort to learn more about their motivations, expectations, preparation, and experiences. Although the adoption outcome (continued versus discontinued) was different, the process, including negative experiences, was quite similar. Programming implications and suggestions for future research are offered.

Suggested Citation

  • Denby, Ramona W. & Alford, Keith A. & Ayala, Jessica, 2011. "The journey to adopt a child who has special needs: Parents' perspectives," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(9), pages 1543-1554, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:33:y:2011:i:9:p:1543-1554
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wright, Lois & Flynn, Cynthia C., 2006. "Adolescent adoption: Success despite challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 487-510, May.
    2. Ryan, Scott D. & Nelson, Nina & Siebert, Carl F., 2009. "Examining the facilitators and barriers faced by adoptive professionals delivering post-placement services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 584-593, May.
    3. Reilly, Thom & Platz, Laurie, 2003. "Characteristics and Challenges of Families Who Adopt Children with Special Needs: An Empirical Study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(10), pages 781-803, October.
    4. Leung, Patrick & Erich, Stephen, 2002. "Family Functioning of Adoptive Children with Special Needs: Implications of Familial Supports and Children Characteristics," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(11), pages 799-816, November.
    5. Brooks, Devon & Allen, Joan & Barth, Richard P., 2002. "Adoption Services Use, Helpfulness, and Need: A Comparison of Public and Private Agency and Independent Adoptive Families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 213-238, April.
    6. Groze, Victor, 1996. "A 1 and 2 year follow-up study of adoptive families and special needs children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(1-2), pages 57-82.
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    Cited by:

    1. Brown, Jason D. & Ivanova, Viktoria & Mehta, Nisha & Skrodzki, Donna & Gerrits, Julie, 2013. "Social needs of aboriginal foster parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(11), pages 1886-1893.
    2. O'Dell, Keely E. & McCall, Robert B. & Groark, Christina J., 2015. "Supporting families throughout the international special needs adoption process," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 161-170.
    3. Bergsund, Hans Bugge & Drozd, Filip & Hansen, Marit Bergum & Jacobsen, Heidi, 2018. "Pre-adoption training: Experiences and recommendations from adoptive parents and course trainers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 282-289.

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