Adoption Influence A Child's Development

How adoption influences a child's development can often depend on the age of the child and how the adoptive parents react to them in day-to-day situations. Often the parents of adopted children end up handling them carefully in an effort to help them feel welcome. Other times, particularly with older children, they jump into discipline too quickly when an older child may need more time to adapt. Either way, adoption is a rewarding experience and with time and effort, an experience of a lifetime.

Following are a few things according to Helene Goldnadel to consider in regards to raising an adoptive child including the following:

Physical Effects:

Research has reported that there have been a number of parents that report that their adopted child, even of toddler age, presented odd physical traits like flailing of their arms and acting out their anger in a physical manner. Other data reported that some parents said the child wasn't growing fast enough, believing that their growth was stunted. In reality, these complaints typically have nothing to do with the children being adopted. It is quite common for children, especially toddlers, to act out their anger physically as they test their independent nature. In addition, all children, toddler age and up, go through growing spurts.

One thing to keep in mind that it's fairly common for adoptive parents to worry more about an adoptive child and in their efforts to protect them, often make the child feel different and out of place. They will also worry that physical traits and actions are a sign of some genetic disorder but in most cases, this simply is not the case. It is important that these parents treat their adoptive child as normal as possible. Spending quality time with your child, not worrying time will encourage the child's growth as well as improve their motor skills, so try to ignore the negative feelings and remember that the things you are worrying about are normally not based on fact.

Spiritual Effects:

There are many different feelings a child will go through once he or she finds out they are adopted, and sometimes it can affect their spiritually. Developing a strong sense of spirituality through religion is often healthy for a child, and can instill a greater sense of morality, but the child might question their religious beliefs once they find out they are adopted. It is important to understand their feelings, and make sure that you don't act any differently towards them than other children. Make them feel loved, and make sure they know they are a part of the family.

Mental Effects:

Mentally, adoption can be quite the hit to a child's development. How the adopted child feels emotionally about being given up for adoption, and the adjustments they will face with their new family, can have a big impact on them mentally. ADD is common in children who are adopted, and if not an ADD related problem, adoptive parents may see signs of other learning disabilities.

They quite often may be more rebellious in nature after learning they are adopted, and it's important to understand the sensitivity of the situation. Again, just make sure they know they are loved and help them adjust and get in touch with their feelings, encouraging them to learn and work past their insecurities.

Adopting a child is a rewarding experience, and while challenging at times will be worth the effort, filling your life, and theirs, with love.