Special Needs Adoption Conference: Getting the Big Picture

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Friday November 7, 2008 8:00am - 3:30pm EST
Petticrew Auditorium, Methodist Hospital
Indianapolis, IN
Directions to Methodist Hospital
Sponsored by AFFIRM

Parking passes will be validated at sign-in.

Getting the Big Picture

With the face of International adoption changing over the last few years there has been a dramatic increase in special needs adoptions. The lengthy time frame involved in Non-Special Needs (NSN) adoptions currently has seen an increase in families choosing alternative ways to grow their families. Waiting children or special needs adoption is an option for some families. The incidence of children coming home with medical special needs or undiagnosed mental health needs has also increased within NSN adoptions. The importance of parent education and resources for those families welcoming children home is apparent. This conference o ers a look into the medical, social, psychological, and familial aspects of some of the more frequent special needs being seen today.

Physician Presentations

Each physician will discuss topics related to his/her specialty. They will describe the diagnosis, assessment, how to monitor and treatment/ management plans. After each session there will be time for questions and answers.

Professional Panel

A panel of health, mental health, and adoption professionals will collectively address issues that may challenge families that adopt internationally or provide foster care, particularly when their children have special needs. These issues include feelings of grief and loss, the transition to school, the development of racial and ethnic identity, and coping with chronic health conditions during the preschool and school-age years.

Parent Panel

Adoptive parents and an adult adoptee will tell their personal stories. Parents in various stages of parenting will be available to answer questions and share their experiences on adopting a child with special needs.