Timeframe for special needs kids?

DavezWife

Has anyone heard the approx. wait to adopt a child with (minor) special needs? It's something we want to do, but not sure how soon we should start the process. I suspect we'll do int'l, but not sure.

I know it's so dependent on a million variables, but if anyone has a guesstimate, that would be swell. Thanks!

noonecarewhoiam

As with all things, the answer is "it depends." Country will play a big part. Children with minor special needs generally aren't on photolistings, which is where the very rapid timeframes you hear about come inot play.

My son was a Waiting International Child from Korea in 2005. We waited 5 months for a referral--they match the child with parents who they feel are able to handle the special needs of the specific child. For travel, we waited another 4 months.

 With many programs closing (Vietnam and Guatamala) and the timeframes in China continuing to draw out, I wouldn't expect a very fast referral from anywhere. More and more familes have turned to the WIC programs in the hopes of getting speedy (or relatively so) referrals. As a result, the special needs kids that languish tend to have more severe needs. Especially girls.

HTH,

Tracy

BabySweetPeasMom

Nothing to add, but good luck.

What type of minor special needs are you talking about?  I know that makes a difference too sometimes as to which program they may place a child in.

 I know there are several books out there that address this as well.

karalee402

I know I'm kind of just adding to what previous posters have said, but I see special needs situations pretty regularly and I work in domestic adoption only.  They are considered hard to place and I bet I get at least one situation a week - whether it's drug use or just a genetic issue, we see them pretty often.

I think it's awesome that you guys are thinking of doing this.  I hope things go so smoothly and work out perfectly for you!   Keep us posted!

candm

As everyone mentioned, it depends on the country. I don't think special needs get faster referrals from our country (Haiti), but then with Haiti your referral only takes a few weeks and then you wait while the adoption is completed. You can get medical visas to bring the child home before the adoption is completed, but I think the medical condition has to be urgent and life threatening. Don't quote me on that though.

CaptainSerious

Every country is different, so, like others have said, it's impossible to tell.

I'm adopting from Peru.  They have a "Waiting Angels" list of all "special needs" children (which includes all children over 5 or who have a sibling over 5).  If a prospective parent identifies a child on the list they'd like to adopt, they are given first priority for an official referral, and jump ahead, administratively, of all the families waiting for a match.

But this doesn't mean it's a fast process.  The parent still has to have a homestudy, be approved by US Immigration, and be approved to adopt by Peru.  The only part they skip is the 6-12 months waiting for a referral.