Adopting a Substance-Exposed Child
Prenatal exposures to drugs, alcohol, and other substances can be encountered in all types of adoption: infant or older child; domestic or international; public, private, or independent.
As you approach adoption, there are several steps you can take to learn more about these exposures, and separate fact from myth.
Originally, it was believed that younger children could overcome the exposure without any long term effects, however families are experiencing residual issues, including:
- ADD/ADHD
- learning weaknesses
- sensory integration issues
Initial Steps
- Demand (don't just ask for) a complete medical history and details about exposures: what substances were taken, for how long, whether or not the child can be or was born addicted, results of neonatal and subsequent testing, developmental aptitudes, etc.
- Seek independent medical evaluations [also for international adoptions]
- Learn about prenatal exposures, what they are and potential effects.
- Examine your attitudes and work with adoption and/or counseling professionals if you need help assessing your own abilities and capabilities.
The best agencies will offer you access to, assistance with, or information about:
- adoption and/or medical subsidies
- continuing information about support or educational services
- health and child development follow-up, at least through preschool years
- early intervention services
- behavioral management
- special education services
- tutoring for academic underachievement
- assessment and intervention for neuropsychological problems
- counseling services for all family members
- support groups for parents
- education and guidance for dealing with childhood and adolescent behaviors
- respite care
- legal assistance for parents in finalizing the adoption and pursuing services
Resources Used in this Article (recommended reading for all)
- Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR)
providing information on dangers as well as benefits of certain substances used during pregnancy. - Child and Youth Issues in Adoption
from our Editor - Consequences of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure
from the National Institute on Drug Abuse - Diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
from the CASA program of Arizona - Drug-Exposed Children
from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse - Drug Facts
from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information - Facts About Prenatal Drug Exposure
from Emory University. - FAS/FAE Reading List from Parentbooks
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
potential effects and extensive information from the TRIUMF Project. - Information on Common Drugs of Abuse
from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. - Maternal Exposure to Crack Cocaine
from Brown University - Neonatal Drug Withdrawal
from the American Academy of Pediatrics - Organization of Teratology Information Services
for local information and resources - Prenatal Exposure to Drugs
from the National Institute on Drug Abuse - Prospects for Crack Babies
from Johns Hopkins
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