As she anticipates the release of her documentary Hayden & Her Family, the filmmaker reconnects with the mother of 12 she profiled to discuss special needs adoption, parenting outside “normal” boundaries, and how loving a child changes you.
“Breathing”
As I prepared to adopt my second child, I welcomed the home study worker into a perfectly clean and ordered home. The scene that greeted her at her post-placement visit was, well, different—but much more real.
“Beyond All Expectations”
She went abroad intending to be an orphanage volunteer—and came back a mother.
News Brief: CCCWA Announces New Program for China’s Former Shared List
China’s central adoption authority, CCCWA, has announced a new program to advocate for waiting children on the country’s former “Shared List.”
Learning to Be Mother and Son
“A lot of people didn’t believe,” Ms. Horton said. “But I believe in my child. And his therapist believed.”
Ask AF: Defining Special Needs
Are all children from foster care considered “special needs,” and, therefore, eligible for the full adoption tax credit?
Is Special Needs Adoption Right for Your Family?
Why adopt a child with medical special needs? The answers will surprise you and touch your soul.
“We Wanted to Adopt White Children”
I chose our route because I didn’t feel comfortable adopting outside our race. Six bittersweet years of motherhood have taught me to look beyond appearances.
Ask AF: Explaining Adoption to a Special-Needs Child
Answers to your parenting questions.
[BOOK EXCERPT] Everything You Ever Wanted
In this excerpt from her candid, hilarious, inspiring adoption memoir, Jillian Lauren explains how she and her husband addressed their son’s trauma and special needs and turned things around for him at home and at school. Accompanying the excerpt is a Q&A with the author.
“Lost Daughter”
When we got our referral, we accepted it with joy. Soon after, however, we realized something wasn’t right.
“Facing Our Fears About Adoption”
Some adoptions don’t end well. Were we wrong to be afraid?
“Should I Play the ‘Adoption Card’?”
I began to have second thoughts about sharing my story in application essays — just as it’s no one else’s business, it shouldn’t factor into a college’s decision to accept me.
Should I Adopt a Child with “Special Needs”?
Peg Studaker, supervisor of the Waiting International Child Program at Children’s Home Society and Family Services, in Minnesota, says: “Parenting children with special needs should be a family’s first choice. Adopting a special-needs child should never be a second choice because the family could not get the child they really wanted to parent.”
“Deciding to Adopt Older Siblings from Foster Care”
At first, we envisioned welcoming a baby into our home. But we soon discovered that adopting older children was right for us.
“What Plans?”
Adoption can be an unpredictable journey. We never realized just how unpredictable.
“Our First Choice”
I always knew I wanted to grow my family through adoption.
“I Am Not My Face”
We’d been prepared to help our new daughter deal with stares and questions about her disfigurement. Instead, she taught us a powerful lesson in courage.
“Finding Her Voice After Eight Years Without a First Language”
Since adopting a deaf older child from China, it’s been my privilege to become her interpreter, her voice, her audience, and her mom.
“Becoming His Sister’s Guiding Light”
One year after adopting an infant girl, we adopted a “special needs” child with a cleft lip and palate. Ever since his sister was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, he’s become her guiding light.
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