Written by: Rory

Edited by: Katarina

Fostering and adopting a child from foster care is both an enormous and very personal decision. There are so many common questions and some doubts that every family goes through as they make a final decision. Within the scope of fostering and adoption there will always be questions like “can we do this?”, “will the child feel welcomed and like their new home?” and the question that is always in the parents minds is “will the child have any special needs?” 

There are people who may feel very intimidated with that label, while others embrace the idea of welcoming a child with needs into their home. Either way it is important to educate ourselves about what this term means and who really falls under the umbrella of “special needs.” 

The majority of the children in foster care come from homes where they had to battle many difficult challenges and were taken against their will. Even though they have faced neglect and abuse, a child wouldn’t necessarily volunteer to be removed from their caretaker, parent, family member or siblings if given the choice. As a result, these children will enter foster care with multiple issues that will fall under the “special needs” category. 

Definition of Special Needs:

It is important to understand that when fostering and adopting children it is essential that the parent is not only financially stable, but also needs to be able to provide an emotionally and physically safe environment. Some of these children were removed from their homes because it became very difficult for their parents to provide this safe place for their child so they are now in foster care.   

Therefore, when looking at what falls under the umbrella of “special needs” you will notice that it may not alway be a physical disability such as:

  • Down Syndrome
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Some of the not so noticeable needs can be the ones hidden and very difficult to see, not quickly identifiable at a first meet and will require more knowledge by the parents as well as seeking resources for parent and child. What falls under the umbrella of “special needs” will also be:

  • Emotional Disorders 
  • Any child who has a sibling and may need to stay together with their sibling
  • An older child
  • Being of a certain race or ethnic group

The term “special needs” encompasses any child who is or could possibly have a difficult time finding a home because of any of the reasons above. The most common child being requested is either a newborn or a toddler and so it becomes difficult for older children or children from a specific race or background to become adopted. For these reasons it is often the case that they fall in the category of “special needs.” A parent needs to be confident that this type of child is what they would want to adopt. 

Each one of these children has their own individual gift and the benefits are invaluable when someone decides to take a chance on them.  A parent could have the benefit of choosing what type of need they are ready to handle. There will not be much of a wait to adopt or place because these children are so often available. There are also more resources when adopting or placing a child in need. The financial assistance is greater for the needs that have to be met. The wonderful thing is that for a child it will mean having a stable, loving, supportive family who will be able to supply the needs that they need whether it’s financial, emotional or physical. 

It is understood that adopting foster children can be difficult and when it’s a child with special needs it becomes an even more difficult decision. This is why it is important that the parent takes everything into account and reaches out for all the resources available to them. There are times when “rehoming” arrangements take place. This is disturbing on many levels and some parents tend to do this when things become too difficult. This is morally wrong and it disrupts the stability of the child and the families. Therefore remember that planning and assessment is to be addressed as a priority and parents need to be realistic of what it will entail. The benefits are much greater, but as always, please make sure you understand and have done the proper research and preparation.