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| |    The Adoption Process by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. Adoption, like pregnancy, is a process that almost always stretches over many months, involves expense and discomfort (as well as joy), and results in a child joining a family. But unlike pregnancy, there are many different ways in which adoptions take place, depending on the type of adoption and the particular agencies and governments that are involved. The purpose of this article is to give a general overview of the process. If you are considering adopting, this information might help you to think broadly about the path ahead of you. And if you know parents who have adopted, it might help you to understand better what they have been through. Step one: Deciding to adopt For some couples, this is a no-brainer. They want children and agree that adoption is the way to go. For others, the decision to adopt can involve a lot of soul-searching and honest communication. Step two: Choosing the type of adoption The different types of adoption--public, private, independent, and international--all offer different advantages and disadvantages. The decision of what type of adoption to have is closely tied to the type of characteristics the prospective parents are looking for in a child. Older children and children with known chronic illness or developmental problems are much less readily adopted than are healthy infants. Race also plays a role in some cases. Step three: Applying to an agency Most adoptions go through adoption agencies. For many reasons, it makes sense to work with a good agency instead of through a lawyer. Agencies require prospective parents to go through an application process that includes a written questionnaire and an interview. The questionnaire is often long, covering a wide range of issues, some quite personal. There are eligibility rules regarding the age and health of prospective parents, and while income itself is not a criterion, the agency will want to make certain that prospective parents have the resources needed to raise a child. Step four: The home study Every adoption requires a home study in which an evaluator interviews the prospective parents in their home and rates the quality of the physical environment. This scrutiny makes many parents anxious, but it is unavoidable, because all courts require a home study before permitting an adoption. Step five: Waiting and choosing After prospective parents have been approved by an agency, they are put on a waiting list. Depending on the criteria the parents have set for the child they want to adopt, the wait can be either short or very long. When a child does become available, the parents then have to decide whether or not they are going to accept that particular child. In making this decision, the parents are often given scanty information: a photo, perhaps a video, and some basic medical information. With international adoptions, the parents may travel halfway around the world to see the child and the institution or home in which he has been living. If they do choose that child, they may have to wait another few weeks or even months before the child is actually able to come live with them. Step six: Post-placement supervision Usually there is a period of several months after the child has joined his new family before the adoption is finalized. During this time, the adoption agency makes home visits (the frequency of the visits depends on the agency) and talks with the parents to assure that things are working out well. Step seven: Legal adoption Finally, as the last step in a successful adoption, a judge reviews the records compiled by the agency, checks to see that all of the laws have been complied with, and certifies the adoption as legal. The total time from start to finish usually is more than a year, but some case can take several years.
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