Children with additional needs

A child with a disability waits 330 days longer than other children waiting for adoption.

Additional needs for a child could be physical, learning, developmental or hidden.  

They could include:

• Downs syndrome (possible physical/learning need)
• Fragile X Syndrome (possible physical/learning need)
• Chromosome Conditions ((possible physical/learning need)
• Cerebral Palsy (possible physical/learning need)
• Global Developmental Delay (can have physical and/or learning and/or development​ needs) ​
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (possible developmental/behavioural needs)
• Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Syndrome (FAS) (Possible hidden/physical/learning/developmental/hidden needs)
• Needs due to the impact of Parental Drug Use (Possible hidden/physical/learning/developmental/hidden needs)
• ADHD (Possible hidden/physical/learning/developmental/hidden needs)

The local authority will undertake health and developmental assessments as part of the court process. Most health or global developmental concerns will be understood at this stage. All information about a childs health, disabilities or developmental delay will be shared with you.  This will mean that you will know a lot about the child’s needs, the support available for you and your child and the what the future may look like. 

There are always unknowns with children and it’s important to remember additional needs can present for a child at any time during their life.  Even if they are not known when a child joins your family, it is something you need to be aware may become something that effects your family in the future. 

We offer comprehensive training about additional needs to all our adopters to ensure you have awareness and that your decision on whether you could parent a child with an additional need is fully informed. 

Children with an additional need require loving families to help them reach their own personal potential. Could you offer them a home where they can achieve this?