Children with Disabilities

Adopting a Disabled Child

Disabled children ranging from infants to adolescents may be candidates for adoption for any number of reasons. Sometimes, their real parents may feel that they are incapable of providing the type of care they deserve, or they may be up for adoptions for reasons unrelated to their disabilities.

Whether they have mental or physical disabilities present since birth, or they have sustained some sort of traumatic injury resulting in permanent disability, these children are all looking for a caring home. A study conducted about a decade ago discovered that for every 100,000 people:

• 2,000 have a mild learning disability.
• 300-400 have a moderate to severe learning disability.
• 115-1,200 have mental health problems.
• 920-960 are hearing impaired.
• 230-260 have epilepsy.
• 230-260 have cerebral palsy.

This data reveals that children with disabilities are neither a rarity amongst the general population nor within the world of adoption.

Regardless of the presence of a disability, all children seek the love, affection, and security blanket that a family can provide. Besides, those that are disabled will return the favor to those that show them such a level of caring; parenting can be just as rewarding an experience to those with disabilities as to those without.

When they come of age, many children with disabilities are capable of leading lives of their own, but others may require outside care for the remainder of their lives. Before going through with an adoption, you must discuss how you are going to be able to support that child for an extended amount of time with their social worker.

People who adopt disabled children do not necessarily have to be unique people, but they must realize that such an undertaking warrants a great deal of dedication. Those who have adopted children with disabilities have said in the past that they are just regular people who happen to love kids no matter how different they are.

Adoption agencies typically grant adoptions to single people or married couples whether they currently have children or not. Some adopters may even be eligible to receive financial assistance from the agency if they choose to adopt a child. If you have adopted a disabled child and are curious if you are entitled to receive additional funding, a social security disability lawyer would be glad to speak with you.