This father’s story on CNN wrecked my heart. I would encourage everyone to read it. It tells of a child’s diagnosis of Down Syndrome and how it broke the father, leaving him wondering if life was worth living, if he should put his daughter up for adoption, or if he should leave his child and wife.…
Read MoreAll articles filed in adoption
trauma focused equine therapy (adoption/foster)
I found this information in an email from The Child Trauma Academy on Spirit Reins Equine Therapy: “Participants learned that the brains of “prey” animals, such as horses, are organized much like that of a traumatized and hypervigilant children who are constantly scanning the environment for threat. The horse, for one, senses a child’s hypervigilance instinctively…
Read Moretips for a better summer vacation (adoption/Autism)
Summer vacations are here, and maybe you’re excited about the fast approaching fun, or maybe you’re apprehensive about it going awry. No matter where you stand, it’s important to have understanding of your child, and a plan in your suitcase before you go. Before you go on your trip, PLAN, PLAN, PLAN, and TALK, TALK,…
Read MoreAdopting a child with HIV/AIDS
A few months ago I was looking at adoption blogs and came across a mother who has adopted children who are HIV positive. I was touched by this woman’s heart, and I admire her and what she has done. Have you ever considered adopting a child with HIV or AIDS? If the answer is yes,…
Read Moreadoption = special needs
The first time I heard someone mention adopted children and special needs in the same sentence was during a meeting with ten professionals. The psychologist speaking was not referring to the adopted children who are classified as special needs because of a cleft palate or a heart condition, she was alluding to any child that…
Read Morediscovering the child behind the label (adopting a special needs child)
This article first appeared in the April 2013 issue of Adoption Today. ******** A baby needed a loving home, how could we say no? We got the call from Child Protective Services on December 17, 2009, they told us no one else could take in a three month old boy. The list of issues his…
Read Moremost recent article
My article, Connecting with Compassion is in the June issue of Adoption Today. The issue focuses on Neglect and Trauma. Click on the photo to view it. Bonus: This issue is being offered FREE!!! Additional bonus: My daughter’s on the front cover!
Read Morehow Paradoxical Parenting works
I will be writing an extremely important post on bonding next week and this information will be helpful in implementing the upcoming technique. But first, I would like to say that there is no quick fix for our hurting children. The information below is not an instant solution, but it will help you move forward…
Read Morelet’s bond already – creating attachment with an adopted child
When our daughter, Payton, came to us, she was young, but she was completely broken. Naive people have said to us, “It’s a good thing she was so young when she came to you, she won’t be affected by what happened.” That’s the generally held consensus isn’t it? If a child is removed from a…
Read Moresigns of neglect, trauma, and attachment issues
My last post delved into attachment issues and what we need to know so we can begin helping our children. In that post, I said we would be looking at what attachment issues can look like and how we might not notice them. I would like to change that verbiage a little. I will be…
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lovin' adoptin' & autism 