One place to start is by reviewing our previous article, Adopting a Child with Special Needs, where we provide valuable tips about adoption, including using reputable agencies to facilitate the process. The next option to consider is to foster before you adopt. “Studies estimate that about 33 percent of kids who enter foster care have a chronic health condition, and more than half of children under five in foster care have developmental challenges,” (How Families Are Advocating For Children With Disabilities In Foster Care, by Claudia Boyd-Barrett). Therefore, chances are high that if you adopt a child with special needs, they will be coming from the foster care system, so fostering before adoption can serve as a valuable resource to you in the short and long terms.
Defining “Special Needs”
The foster care system is primarily regulated at the state level, and the fostering process starts when a child in need is referred to the state Child Protective Services (CPS) for temporary placement. While parents considering adopting a child with special needs may have an idea of what those needs could encompass, it’s important to note that the specific definition of “special needs” varies by state. Generally, foster care agencies apply the term to any child who may have a harder time finding a permanent adoption placement due to being:
- An older child
- Of a particular race or ethnic group
- Part of a sibling group who must be adopted together
- A child who has some type of medical condition
- A child who has physical, mental, or emotional disabilities
The term can also be applied to a child that is not considered “healthy” at birth. According to consideringadoption.com, the most common disabilities of children in foster care are Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Shaken Baby Syndrome, or other brain injuries.
We love children with special needs.
This is especially true when it comes to isolation, which can become even more challenging over time than the diagnosis or disability itself.
Toddlers can play together without a lot of guidance or assistance.
Parents of children with special needs are busy going to doctors, therapists, specialists, early intervention programs, and other appointments and activities.
Finally, there are emotional challenges for parents of children with special needs.
You would never skip an important appointment for your child.
This article talks about, struggles of being a special needs parent, "special needs parent" isolation and how to avoid it with various strategies and steps.
Our online tutors have specialized in offering tutoring students online with special needs for over 10 years.
It is difficult to find good tuition online for students with learning disabilities, and we made sure to make them readily available to students who need help.Tutoring students online with special needs is one of our specialties, and we make sure to make tutoring readily available.
Our online tutors specialize in tutoring students with special needs online.
To provide the best experience, we go to great lengths to provide the best service online.
We do this by setting up Zoom meetings to allow your child to meet our team face-to-face while working at a safe distance.
Online tutoring also allows us to fit within your schedule and allows for a more efficient workspace.
