Title

The Post-Adoption Needs of Adoptive Parents of Children with Disabilities

Department/School

Social Work

Date of this version

2015

Document Type

Article

Keywords

adoption, postadoption services, disabilities, mental health

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2015.1022846

Abstract

Adoptions of children with disabilities are considered special needs, due to the higher level of support needed pre- and postadoption by families and children for adoptions to succeed. Despite this fact, very few studies examine the specific postadoption experiences of families with children with disabilities. Using secondary analysis of a national survey of adoptive parents, as well as interviews and a focus group with adoptive parents in one state, this study examines families’ with adopted children with disabilities challenges and unmet needs after adoption, as well as the postadoption needs and experiences of adoptive families with children with developmental and intellectual disabilities and adoptive families of children with emotional, behavioral, and mental health disabilities. Findings indicate that families with children with disabilities do report higher rates of challenges and barriers to service access, and that this is particularly true in families with adopted children with emotional, behavioral, and mental health disabilities. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Volume

18

Issue

3

Published in

Journal of Family Social Work

Citation/Other Information

Hill, K., & Moore, F. (2015). The Post-Adoption Needs of Adoptive Parents of Children with Disabilities. Journal of Family Social Work, 18(3), 164-182. https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2015.1022846

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