Adoption Counseling

EXPLORING A CHILD'S HEALTH HISTORY

Every child deserves a loving home. But not all prospective parents are the perfect match for every child. Many adoptive children often face unique health challenges, including medical, psychological and developmental issues. Exploring the child's health history is a critical step in the pre-adoption process. Prospective parents who are fully prepared and knowledgeable, and who understand their own desires and abilities, can best meet the expected needs of a particular child.

COMMON ADOPTIVE HEALTH ISSUES

Children who have lived in orphanages and other environments with poor health conditions are at particular risk for developmental delays, fetal alcohol syndrome, lead poisoning and infectious diseases, including scabies, lice, latent tuberculosis, intestinal parasites and rickets. Few children in these environments receive proper immunizations. Children also can have a difficult time transitioning from an orphanage or foster life to their new adoptive family.

Other common concerns for adoptive children include:

  • anemia
  • hepatitis B and C
  • human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • impaired hearing and vision
  • metabolic disorders
  • thyroid conditions

Complicating matters, it often can be difficult to obtain accurate and complete medical records for an adopted child, especially if they have lived in multiple foster homes or in an orphanage.

PRE-ADOPTIVE HEALTH CONSULTATION

Doctors who specialize in adoptive health are available to guide you through the process of researching a child's health history. They are experienced in identifying and treating the physical, developmental and emotional issues that are uniquely and commonly associated with adoptive children, both domestically and internationally. They will work with you to engage in a pre-adoption medical consultation once a child has been identified for adoption.

During the pre-adoption medical consultation, the adoptive health specialist will evaluate and interpret written records, photos or videos of a child. They can help you make sense of all the medical information you receive from the adoption agency or help fill in the holes when medical information is lacking. The specialist also will help you ask the right questions and recommend specific health screenings that might help you better assess and understand the child's health. Some specialists also will help you plan pre-adoption medical visits and will travel with you to evaluate the child's health in person.

Meeting an adoptive health specialist in person may not always be feasible because you may not find one in your local area. However, many pediatricians who specialize in adoptive health will consult with you by phone after reviewing the child's medical records and other pertinent family history.

THE OAK ADOPTIVE HEALTH CENTER AT AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

The Oak Adoptive Health Center at Akron Children's Hospital in Akron, Ohio, is one of only a handful of agencies in the United States that specializes in adoptive health. The center frequently works with families across the country and around the world at the pre-adoption phase because much of this work can be completed by phone, fax and e-mail.

The Oak Adoptive Health Center provides both pre-adoption and post-adoption health services to assist adoptive families. The staff works to prepare and educate parents and families involved in domestic, international and special needs adoptions. They also provide medical history evaluation, and psychological and developmental evaluation and support to encourage the healthy growth of the adoptive family. After the adoption is complete, the staff will work with you to build a continuum of care for the child that might include a number of medical and developmental specialists.

Ellen Kempf, M.D., a pediatrician and mother of three adopted children, and the director of the Oak Adoptive Health Center at Akron Children's Hospital, has personally visited orphanages around the world and routinely counsels families through both domestic and international adoptions where the child is living in a high-risk environment. She is well aware of vaccination routines, infectious diseases and other health concerns specific to certain countries. She also has made several visits with her clients to orphanages in China, Korea, Ghana, Haiti and Guatemala.

The Oak Adoptive Health Center staff does not replace the child's primary care doctor. In fact, the Oak staff often works in conjunction with the family's pediatrician to assess and treat medical, developmental and psychological concerns. The goal is to educate and prepare the family to ensure a smooth transition initially following the adoption and into the future as the child grows with his or her new adoptive family.

If you would like to speak with an adoptive health specialist in person, or schedule a pre-adoption consultation, call 330-543-3550.

Learn more about the Oak Adoptive Health Center

MEET THE OAK ADOPTIVE HEALTH CENTER STAFF
https://www.akronchildrens.org/cms/site/21659bc0f51c0d75/index.html

ADOPTION STORIES FROM CHINA
https://www.akronchildrens.org/cms/site/323068afe0c3ea47/index.html

ADOPTIVE HEALTH CENTER HELPS FAMILY FIGURE OUT YOUNG AFRICAN BOY'S TRUE AGE
https://www.akronchildrens.org/cms/site/ade046b2d6c4c69d/index.html