Have you adopted a complicated child? Or are you thinking about it, and wondering how to prepare?  Or wondering if you can handle it?

Are you looking for strategies for promoting attachment in children with special parenting needs, such as children from institutions or backgrounds of neglect?

Are you struggling with professionals to find a diagnosis that fits and is actually helpful to you when you seek services?

Welcome to my world. 

This web site may help you understand some useful concepts and strategies for young children who have problems associated with living in an orphanage during their infancy.  You need to be aware of problems that are often confused with attachment issues so that you won't be caught off guard if they should develop in your child. Not all children from orphanages fit this profile, so your experience may be different. You won't find any horror stories here, just preparation.  I want you to adopt these kids!  I want you to feel that you have the information you need to help these kids have a meaningful life.  I want you to feel ready, willing and able to love, protect and parent these kids in ways that are appropriate to their developmental needs.   Every last one of them!  A loving family for every child...

By request, I am posting articles, correspondence, essays, checklists and observations that I have written over the past 6 years.  Much of this has appeared on adoption-related e-mail lists, and some has been included in newsletters and booklets.  These topics are revisited as new people begin struggling with these issues.  I hope this web site will help make these ideas easier to find. If you are looking for statistical data or scientific research, you will need to look elsewhere.  This is a practical site.  Everything here is based on observation and input by adoptive parents.  This is not the final word, or the only approach. 

This information is my personal opinion only, and should not be used as a substitute for professional guidance.  Don't take my word for anything - use your common sense and intuition, and seek out opinions from other adoptive parents. 

I would appreciate feedback.  This site is not finished!



bio: Teri is the adoptive mom to a 6 year old son with special health care and developmental needs adopted from Romania at the age of 3, and the birthmother of an 8 year old daughter with mild neurological issues and learning differences. She is the author of Instant Romanian for Parents and Caregivers, a language guide for adoptive families, and has a special interest in fighting stereotypes and misinformation about  post-institutionalized children.  She  worked as a Physician Assistant in neurology before returning to study Maternal and Child Health issues as a graduate student, and has been studying and writing about special needs adoption issues since 1992.  She is currently on a maternity leave that has extended to 5 years...