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Adoption

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on adoption.

To ask about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

104 replies

MrsRyanGosling15 · 07/01/2017 09:37

I know this is in the wrong place but I don't care, just hoping some wise people will see it and point me in the right direction.

I have had to take in a 12 month old baby who, it is clearly obvious has FAS. This child is so distressed and has nothing like a routine at all. She literally sleeps in 20 min blocks and must be clinging on to you. We have had her 1 week and input from Social services has been shocking really. They just say wait and see if parents get in touch buy they are still drinking heavily and have no intention of getting in touch.

This child doesn't make a sound at all, except the most ear piercing cry I have ever heard along with a really fast flapping of her arms. Even my 11yr old has asked what is wrong with her. I have no experience at all of a child like this and I'm afraid I'm going to stress her more r do her more harm than good. It's only been a week but I'm at breaking point. I have 4 other children in the house too and I have noticed they have all been acting up this week. Giving her away is not an option at all. I have to start her in a creche next week as we need to go to work.

If anyone has looked after a child like his do you have any advice? Especially on how to get her to go in her bed and sleep. Or any good online advice or resources? My 2 year old hasn't had a nap all week as I have just been sat on the sofa with the 1yr old crying and nodding off. I feel so bad I can't cope with this.

OP posts:
DartmoorDoughnut · 07/01/2017 10:42

I have total baby brain but there is definitely a poster on here who has years of experience fostering FAS children/babies, she had a thread that had me in tears last year but for the life of me I can't remember her name. Def try posting in adoption and hopefully she'll see it and be able to offer you some advice.

Your poor sister is very very lucky to have you and your family to take her away from her situation, FAS or not she definitely sounds neglected from your description bless her Sad

KayTee87 · 07/01/2017 10:43

Missed a couple of posts while typing there.
Op just report the post and ask to have it moved

Poocatcherchampion · 07/01/2017 10:45

I'm sure there is a lovely thread in classics about a adopter/foster carer looking after an infant with fas. It is worth a read anyway if anyone can find it for you.

Also contact the charity that looks after fas. I can't remember their name

Poocatcherchampion · 07/01/2017 10:45

Fas trust!

Shockers · 07/01/2017 10:47

DD has FAS. I think it's a very broad spectrum and you probably wouldn't be doing baby any favours by putting it all down to that.

I'd imagine that she's very distressed by the move and the reasons behind it. My advice would be to forget about the crèche and make her feel as secure as you possibly can. Keep her next to you in a sling if she's not too heavy.

If it helps, DD also has attachment disorder and has responded well to structure and loving boundaries. She came to us at 2 1/2 and is now a mostly delightful 18 year old. Routine was immensely important to help her feel secure.

Good luck.

Shockers · 07/01/2017 11:00

Oh, and shout loud and long for support! You taking your sister is a very convenient option for SS and they will leave you to it unless you make an huge fuss.

If you plan on her living with you forever, I would definitely consider working part time at most and employing an experienced nanny.

Lastly, her behaviour will seem like a personal attack at times... it's not. Attachment presents itself as manipulative, but that is a primal survival technique. Keep repeating to yourself, 'none of this is personal'.

PM me if you need support with anything at all.

littledinaco · 07/01/2017 11:05

You've done a lovely thing taking her in and sound like you really want to do your best for her.
I agree with doing a lot of reading about attachment problems and carrying her in a sling sounds like a really good idea. Skin to skin can still be beneficial at her age to help regulate her and make her feel more settled.

I would really try if possible to avoid putting her in childcare. I think it would be very distressing to her and make her attachment issues worse. I think it would also make things more difficult for you in the long term. If you going to work is completely unavoidable then having a nanny in your home like pp suggested may be the next best option.

Verbena37 · 07/01/2017 11:07

Nothing to add other than what a lovely family you are and it's really lovely that your sister has you to care for her.
It might be worth looking up paediatric cranial osteopathy to help soothe the little one. There are a number of registered cranial osteopaths who work with babies www.scco.ac.

DS didn't have FAS but cried constantly due to headaches following Ventouse delivery and couldn't sleep on his back until a few sessions of cranial osteopathy.

Hope this week is ok for you and she settles into your family a little more Flowers.

AyeAmarok · 07/01/2017 11:11

Best of luck OP.

I have no experience of social services etc but it's shocking they've just palmed her off and washed their hands of any responsibility.

I'd be tempted to tell SS you are handing her over to them as you can't cope (even if you don't mean it), it might spur them into action if they think they are going to have to find a placement for her and they will realise that supporting you properly is an easier and cheaper option.

TheWitTank · 07/01/2017 11:15

Flowers OP.

There is an incredibly inspiring and helpful thread in classics about a wonderful women who fostered a drug dependent baby. It might be a good one to read. Good luck X
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/922821-drug-dependant-baby-advice-needed

Rufus27 · 07/01/2017 11:17

I'd go on the Adoption UK site - you will find loads of advice/articles/fact sheets on FAS (use the drop down menu), as well as many experienced adopters on the forum with children who have FAS.

Allington · 07/01/2017 11:18

in theory she can just slip in with us

I think this is very, very unlikely. There is a good chance that she will need a high level of care throughout her life, and she may never be able to live independently. So, either a SAHP or experienced nanny. Special school and lots of appointments.

Are you willing to give up your job, or go PT in a job that allows lots of flexibility and time off? Because even if you have a nanny, even regular appointments can put your job on the line.

I adopted my DD9 from a background of severe neglect, including an unknown amount of alcohol abuse while pregnant.

She is amazingly resilient, compassionate, and has many talents, and I have every reason to believe will be able to live independently (perhaps a bit later than her peers), find a job that is satisfying and pays the bills, and has a range of positive relationships. She is sociable and copes with mainstream clubs and childcare, and is low-average in mainstream school.

BUT! She has a range of not-quite-clinical-level difficulties. Executive functioning, emotional self-regulation, speech and language difficulties, anxiety, she is impulsive and finds it difficult to concentrate, a little bit of attachment/control issues. When you put them all together that means an endless round of assessments, therapeutic input of various sorts which usually results in exercises to do at home. Endless advocating for her because in general teachers etc are happy to say 'that's terrible' when I outline her past experiences, but cannot see the connection between her experiences and her behaviour via the long term neurological and psychological damage.

I now work PT in a basic admin job, having previously been in senior management, post-grad degree, career with travel etc.

I don't regret it for a moment - and if the FAS is so obvious in your sister, then my situation is probably best case scenario. And I don't have any other children to be affected.

You need to get VERY assertive with SS right now. Because they will run walk away if at all possible. They need to be doing a full assessment of need, and a package of support to meet those needs. And written commitment to continue to provide as necessary.

Otherwise it may be best for your sister, as well as the rest of you, for her to be in long-term foster care or adopted. In either case it is very likely you would still be able to have contact and maintain a relationship. Possibly you will be of more benefit to her not having the day to day responsibility of her care, but saving your energy to provide love and advocacy.

PM if you'd like to chat.

girlelephant · 07/01/2017 11:21

No advice but you and your DH sound amazing and just wanted to wish you luck.

Frarling · 07/01/2017 11:21

Nothing helpful to add, except that you are an amazing person.

MrsLyons · 07/01/2017 11:25

There is a user called fasparent on here who you may want to look up.

Also, may be worth posting in the adoption topic as there are parents there who are likely to have experience of FAS as well as attachment.

Good luck!!

MargoChanning · 07/01/2017 11:30

Tagging @fasparent for you in case they can help.

OP, I have no advice but just wanted to say I think you're wonderful and I wish you the very best.

Allington - couldn't read and run without saying you sound amazing and have my utmost respect.

Haffdonga · 07/01/2017 11:41

Yes you have been dumped on because you are the cheapest option. And that isn't necessarily the best option for ither you or your baby sister Sad

If your dsis had been fostered, the foster carer would be paid an allowance, would have had training in dealing with these issues and would not be putting the baby into childcare.

If your dsis had been put up for adoption, her parent/s would be entitled to adoption leave from work and expected to stay at home with her for a year or more while attachment grew. They would have access to training and support to deal with FAS and attachment issues (although better in some areas than others). They possibly would also be eligible for an allowance if the baby had special needs that made her more difficult to care for, such as FAS. They would have access to groups and support from other people adopting dcs.

You are being entirely abandoned, without training, funding or information by SS. You cannot be expected to cope. Your traumatised dc is being put straight into yet another environment (after her previous home/s, then your home then childcare) with yet more new faces giving her care. This is an absolute NO no for attachment needs and goes directly against what SS themselves would advise adopters and foster carers. It coiuld potentially have long term negative consequences for this little girl in your family.

None of this is your fault. You sound lovely and you are trying very hard to do the best for your new dsis, but accepting this situation that has been foisted on you is not the best for your dsis . For her sake you must shout and yell and demand support. You must tell SS that you cannot cope. You need them to pay you a fostering allowance and take much longer off work. You need professional support. DEMAND it. You all need it and deserve it.

(And post on the adoption board. Several people there have dcs with FAS and are extremely knowledgeable and supportive. )

GloGirl · 07/01/2017 11:43

Make an emergency GP appointment and ask for an urgent paediatrician referral. Print off FAS pictures if you need to to discuss similar facial features. Make a double appointment with GP and see if they can extend your sick note. Phone Social Services and Health Visitors and insist on help, explain 30 minute sleeps is intolerable. Demand financial support.

The bad news is you are a capable professional family so they think they can just leave you to it and trust you. The bad news is you will be exhausted and stressed and it's not easy to fight for appropriate care in that situation.

The good news is you are a capable professional family and once you learn how to go about it you should be able to get all the right support in place.

With 3 under 3 I'd strongly consider getting a Nanny rather than a nursery. Cost wise it's a relatively good option for so many children and a child with bonding issues and brain damage it might be better to have consistent care in the form of a nanny.

You're doing great - keep swimming Flowers

GrumpyOldBag · 07/01/2017 11:49

No experience to help you but wanted to send you Flowers and also very moved by ElsieMc's post so Flowers for you too.

Miserylovescompany2 · 07/01/2017 11:49

I didn't just want to read and run...

Like others have suggested, ask -demand- an assessment of need from social services. Also ask for a carers assessment.

If the child does have FAS then you have a very difficult road ahead of you. This isn't impossible, but, your family life as you once knew it will be very different.

Right now, labels aside, the child requires stability. By the sounds of things is doesn't sound as if she's had any. You won't really know what you are dealing with until the child is older, because you won't be able to measure behavioural issues at that age.

You will have to adjust your life around the need(s) of this child.

Allington · 07/01/2017 11:52

margo I am very lucky to be a Mum, and to have such an amazing daughter Smile

The first couple of years was a bit of a blur Grin but I was looking back the other day at a phone video I made of one of her meltdowns to show the psychologist, and realised she's gone from having several a day to not having one in so long I can't remember the last.

Pteranodon · 07/01/2017 11:55

I have a friend who took on her nephew with fas and AD at 9mo, & now I know I would only do similar if my own children were already grown up. Instead I would push SS for foster care and a permanent home with childless parents who can commit, without the needs of other children being compromised. I would want to maintain a close aunty/big sister relationship if possible but if not possible I'd still choose this, having witnessed the intensity of the needs of the child I know.

Her chances of finding a loving permanent home are highest now, while she is a baby. I know you said it's not an option for you, and that is of course your choice. I don't say it lightly, but you have a 2yo and other children too.

j0j080 · 07/01/2017 11:55

Lots of good advice upthread, I just wanted to add something I haven't seen mentioned. Could you get a sling? Baby wearing could really help her settle in and bond with you and your husband, it should make her feel safe and secure, and she may even nap in it. It would also make it easier to get stuff done, including seeing to them other children. There will likely be a sling library near you if you Google, or you can even hire slings online, it's definitely a good idea to try some out before buying. I would recommend a soft structured carrier like a lillebaby, Tula or connecta for a one year old.

This is such a difficult situation, and I commend you for stepping in to help. Do be very clear with social services that you need support, they are probably just relieved to have found a placement for her, make sure they know their job doesn't end there x

Haffdonga · 07/01/2017 12:20

And just to add - don't assume that your social worker is an expert on the effects of either FAS or early life early neglect/abuse or attachment disorders. Any/all of these have long term effects on brain development. Some SWs know about this, others can have a naive view that love will sort it all out. The love and stability of a caring family helps deal with it but cannot not 'cure' what is essentially permanent brain damage.

Allington · 07/01/2017 12:21

The good news is you are a capable professional family and once you learn how to go about it you should be able to get all the right support in place.

Sadly not the case. Have a read of the AdoptionUK Forum - lots of capable professional families who have been taken apart by the needs of their very troubled children and not only not been given support, have been blamed for their children's difficulties. The reality is, SS are legally obliged to do an assessment of need for adoptive families, but are not obliged to then provide ANYTHING to meet any needs identified. And, because budgets are being slashed, on the whole they don't provide anything. CAMHS is often not fit for purpose at the best of times, and when it comes to modern adoption (99% children who have experienced neglect/abuse, in-utero alcohol/drugs ate, genetic risks for a range of conditions that affect behaviour and mental health) they don't have a clue - see the 2nd comment on this page www.adoptionuk.org/forum-topic/daily-mail-article?page=1#comment-70755 )

I never thought I would recommend a Daily Mail article, and I hate the tone of it (naaice white middle class families 'rescuing' a child of feckless parents, then child isn't even grateful blah blah) but the basic facts are there www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4069254/They-open-homes-adopt-ve-taken-youngsters-wreck-family-continue-BETRAY-loving-parents-asks-CAROL-SARLER.html )