Children with special needs are always on the waiting list for adoption. Like all children, they need the nurturing, support and advocacy to help them realize their hopes and dreams.

A special needs child is one who has one or more physical and/or emotional disabilities. These children have often endured abuse and neglect in their lives and require lots of attention and reassurance. Their disabilities have hindered them in their quests to be adopted, and they may have spent years in foster care as a result. The decision to adopt a special needs child can be a rewarding one, as these children have a lot of love to give. However, bringing one into your home requires some advance preparation.

Am I qualified to adopt a “special needs” child?

Almost any prospective adoptive parent who has the commitment, skills, and preparation to parent may adopt a child. Agencies differ in their specific requirements for adoptive parents. Requirements for adopting a child with special needs tend to be less restrictive than requirements for adopting a healthy infant. Agencies will consider both single and married applicants, ranging in age from 18 to 50 or sometimes even older. The consideration of an adoptive parent’s age may depend on the individual’s situation, or on the age of the child, if the state has age restrictions. Most agencies require couples to be married a minimum of one to three years. Divorce, physical challenges, or a history of personal counseling do not necessarily disqualify an applicant from adopting. Applicants need not be wealthy or own a home.

Parents who adopt children with special needs will need to take the time to decide if they have the emotional, physical, mental, and financial resources to be a successful parent. It will be helpful to make a self-assessment before deciding to adopt.

Is there a financial support?

Usually, parents who adopt a child with special needs are charged no fee or only a small one. Parents who adopt a child with special needs may be reimbursed for certain adoption-related expenses. Federal and state programs offer financial assistance to adoptive parents for special care and services that the child needs. Financial assistance is offered to help families overcome barriers to adopting that exist due to the costs of adoption so that waiting children have permanent families.

Don’t expect things to go smoothly at first. It is going to take some time for your special needs child to adjust to her new life with you. She is going to have trauma to overcome, and she’ll need reassurance from you that you won’t abandon her. Be patient, give all the love you can and never give up on your child. Eventually, it will seem like she has always been a part of your family.

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