Best source of info on likely outcomes?

[Rainatnight]

I know no one has a crystal ball and that there'll always be risks and vulnerabilities with adopted children, but I wondered if anyone had come across good reading or sources of evidence for the likely outcomes for children with particular issues?

I'm from a geeky background and think it would be great if there was one online repository that pulled together all the available evidence so you could see if a child has X issues, the range and likelihood of outcomes are A, B and C. But I know that's a bit ambitious!

And specifically, I'm interested in any evidence on the effects of maternal autism and learning disability.

Thanks!

[greenandblackssurvivalkit]

For this, you need to research particular issues, I think. Broad stats on adopted children aren't going to help.

I'm similar, and like probabilities and stats. These are easier for more defined conditions, than spectrum disorders.

A quick google gives this heritability of autism. The internet is a huge resource, I used it. I also used the library to access specialist texts on conditions named in profiles. People like NAS could also provide information.

There are genetic conditions where your question can be answered. Duchenne's for instance. And there are health issues where it can't be answered currently (exactly how much weed is damaging to a foetus?) due to a lack of research.

Adoption is, however, all about uncertainty! If we could put numbers on it all, that would not be as uncertain.

[Kr1stina]

A lot of people are invested in making sure that information about outcomes in adoption is NOT collected .

You will need to search for information in the non adopted population

[greenandblackssurvivalkit]

Why Kr1stina?

[gabsdot]

My DD was adopted from Russia at 2.5. she presents with some very typical issues due to early childhood trauma.
There is some research regarding the outcomes of Romania orphans. Dan Brown is one author who has written on this subject.

[NattyTile]

There is a lot of research into certain issues - early trauma, autism, foetal alcohol syndrome, various generic conditions, all sorts like that.

But there will always be a huge amount of uncertainty.

For example with a child who is delayed meeting milestones, that could be due to neglectful early experiences, it could be due to learning or physical disabilities, it could be due to trauma. It might be that the child will catch up completely, but it might be that they will always have those delays.

You'll never know for sure that a ba baby hasn't been exposed to drugs or alcohol in uterine (although you may know absolutely that they have). There's now evidence to suggest alcohol abuse by birth fathers may cause FAS as well as by birth mothers, and it's possible you won't know who the birth father is at all.

Differing children react to trauma in different ways, some may be only minimally affected and some may have lasting and profound issues as a result. And a child who appears to be only minimally affected at 2 or 3 may develop major problems when they hit puberty. Or they may not.

Even when you think you know, you may not - for example a friend adopted a child who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. But that child started deteriorating, and has in fact now been diagnosed with a progressive and terminal childhood illness. Conversely another family adopted a child with cerebral palsy and global developmental delay, and that child now has no physical issues at all.

One child who has experienced early loss may push away adults and turn inwards for support, trusting no one. And another may be scared of independence and remain overly childlike and clingy, afraid to do things for themselves in case the next parents disappear too.

There aren't guarantees. Hopefully though if you're looking at children's info, your SW or the child's - or a paed if there are complex issues - should be able to give you at the very least a "we don't know for sure, but we often see this, that or the other as a result of this condition/issue/experience."

[Kr1stina]

Green - IME the outcomes are much worse than most people think . It might put off prospective adopters and it would create pressure for more post adoption support, which is very expensive.

There are many adoptive families who struggle with very VERY serious problems. So many marriages / relationships split up because of the stress. The system pretty much abandons then as soon as they have an adoption order. It's shocking .

There's not enough support for families with Sn children , whatever their background . And adopters are not exactly top of the list.

Why would SS want this to come to light ?

[fasparent]

From 1st hand experience having Adopted such children with specific needs.
You except what is. Then pick up the pieces do the best you can, have too learn lots of new parenting skill's, Learn how the NHS and Care system and support systems work, After Adoption support fund, Pathway planning, Education and healthcare planning, list is endless, as is the waiting times from CAMHS and associated Paediatric Community support networks.
All ours are doing fine is a struggle have too fight the system Our Kids outcomes are excellent all have fun and enjoy life as do we.

[Crasterwaves]

Fas I've just read your post - don't have a dx yet for my child and they are my birth child but your words are so important - what is important is that they enjoy life. Will try to remember that at the hard times.