To consider a special needs adoption is to consider a very serious undertaking. Depending on the definition put forth by the coordinating agency, the term “children with special needs” may very narrowly apply to children who are physically disabled or suffer from some sort of major mental or emotional impairment.
In some cases, some of these children will have more than one handicap, which obviously makes life hard for the child who must endure those difficulties, but realistically, can make life very trying for their biological parents.
Given a more expansive version of the phrase, though, a child with special needs may simply be one who is a member of a minority ethnic group or one who is of an older age group. As noted, special needs adoption often takes children out of foster care settings.
While the fact that many of these children were abandoned by their mothers or by both birth parents makes their situation bittersweet in any regard, the proverbial silver lining is that they now have a chance to be taken care by a loving family on a permanent basis. Furthermore, the adoptive parents who do assent to special needs adoptions can be sure that they themselves are really needed through all of this. Indeed, in some instances, children will be almost completely dependent on them.
In terms of dealing with an overseeing agency, there are frequently added benefits with regard to the inclusiveness of their policies. Adults as young as 18 may be considered for special needs adoption. Moreover, marital status may be of no deterrence to the social worker reviewing one’s case. In fact, divorcees, non-homeowners and even people who have required psychological counseling in the past may apply for special needs adoptions.
Of course, inclusiveness does not imply low standards. Though special needs adoptions may not be subject to some of the same rigorous checks as other kinds of adoption, just the same, those reviewing one’s bid for a child will want to see intending parents are capable and prepared for what awaits them. Children with special needs require the utmost attention and care, perhaps the most out of any child population.