Adoption FAQ #8

Dr.Loretta

Is there any particular terminology or place to go for abbreviations used specific to the Adoption board?

CaptainSerious

"biological" child instead of "own" child

"made an adoption plan" instead of "gave up for adoption"

PAP = Prospective adoptive parent

AP = Adoptive parent

"birth family" or "first family" or "biological family" instead of "real family"

 

hway24

BM- brithmom

BF- birthfather

DA- domestic adoption

IA- international adoption

hway24

I think putting together a list of positive adoption language is a good idea. Captian already listed the main ones we see, I know there's others but I can't think of them right now.

smith486

TPR- Termination of Parental Rights

lilmufish

From my website:

https://littlesundrops.blogspot.com/2009/08/positive-language.html

Here is a helpful guide, when talking to a future or current parent who has been through the adoption/foster care process. This positive language is chosen to show respect (or dignity), and objectivity about the decisions made by both birth parents and adoptive parents in discussing decisions made for children involved.


POSITIVE VS NEGATIVE

Birth parent vs Real Parent
Biological Parent vs Natural Parent
Biological/Birth Father vs Real Father
Biological/Birth Mother vs Real Mother
Parent vs Adoptive Parent
Birth Child vs Own Child
My Child vs Adopted Child
Was Adopted vs Is Adopted
Born to unmarried Parents vs Illegitimate
Made/Make an Adoption plan vs Give/Gave Away
Child placed for Adoption vs An Unwanted Child
Terminate Parental Rights vs Give up/Gave up
Court Termination vs Child Taken Away
To Parent vs Kept
Separated from Parents vs Abandoned, Deserted, Rejected
Making Contact with vs Reunion
Search for vs Track Down Parents
Permission to sign a release vs Disclosure
Inter country Adoption vs Foreign Adoption
Child from Abroad vs Foreign Child
Adoption Triad vs Adoption Triangle
Child with Special Needs vs Handicapped Child
Child who is Developmentally behind vs Retarded child

silliestbunny

ICPC=  Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children

lilmufish

As far as abbreviations..


Prefixes:
A-Adoptive
B- Biological/Birth (Example BM - Biological Mom)
E-Mom - Expectant Mom
FM/FD - Foster Mom/Dad
FS/FS - Foster Son/Daughter
CW - Caseworker