“At my last ultrasound, we just found out our baby will be born with special needs. Are there families open to adopting babies with special needs?”
This is a common question, and the answer is “Yes!” Lifetime Adoption has families open to adopting a baby born with correctable needs or issues that may last your child’s lifetime. If your child has medical, developmental, or other special needs, choosing adoption will allow you to place them with adoptive parents who are prepared to provide for them.
We have recently helped with adoptions of babies diagnosed with genetic issues, brain damage, Down’s syndrome, and dwarfism. These beautiful babies are now happy and thriving in their new homes with their loving parents, who have the financial and emotional capacity to care for these children. Babies with special needs do need parents who have the time, energy, and resources to care for them.
If you are pregnant with a child that will have special needs or you are struggling to care for a baby that needs specialized care, adoption may be the most loving choice you can make for your child.
The Process of Special Needs Infant Adoption
No matter the health of your baby, adoption is always an option. Every expectant mother has the right to make an adoption plan for her baby if that’s what she wants to do. The special needs infant adoption process is not much different from the adoption process for any other birth mother.
You’ll have the same choices, rights, and access to free services as any other pregnant mother who works with Lifetime, including:
- Professional Counseling: To receive the information and emotional support you need during and after the process of placing your baby for adoption, it is important you have access to counseling and support services.
- Control Over the Adoption Process: You can choose the type of adoption you want for yourself and your baby. That means choosing your baby’s adoptive parents, deciding how things will be handled at the hospital when you give birth, and determining how much contact you’ll have after placement.
- Free Adoption Services: All of your legal and counseling services are provided at no charge to you. You may also be able to get help with medical and living expenses during your pregnancy, depending on the laws in your state.
- Post-Adoption Contact: With today’s modern, open adoptions, you can choose to remain in contact with your child and the adoptive family. You’re able to witness your child growing up through emails, phone calls, texts, and even visits. This contact lets you know that your child is safe, happy, and loved.
- Peer Support: Talking to a birth mother gives you insight from somebody who has been in your shoes before. This person has navigated the same waters you feel lost in now. They chose adoption for their child, so they can provide you with an understanding you cannot get from anybody else.
Choosing adoption for your baby is rarely easy, and the process of placing your special needs baby for adoption will undoubtedly be one of the most difficult decisions of your life. But, with the right adoption professional, you can get the support and services you need to ensure your baby grows up with loving parents who are prepared to meet his or her needs.
Carrie’s Story
Carrie found out that her baby had Down’s Syndrome while pregnant. Being a single mom with three other children, she had no idea how she could care for her baby. Carrie had a full-time job but felt finding daycare for a special needs baby would be difficult, and she knew her baby would need a family who could really focus on her and her needs. So, she reached out to Lifetime Adoption and was surprised that we had families open to adopting a baby with Down Syndrome. She chose a family that lived in her state and now receives happy updates and pictures that show her baby thriving. In addition, they plan to visit once a year so her little girl can get to know her siblings.
Sometimes women in Carrie’s position are encouraged to abort babies who may have conditions such as these. But the reality is that there are wonderful families waiting and eager to adopt any baby. It may be that no matter how much you love your baby, you are not in a situation to provide the specialized care she needs. Your precious baby can make the dreams of a family hoping to adopt come true. Your baby can be the ray of sunshine a family is waiting for.
Issues With Drug or Alcohol Addiction During Pregnancy
Lifetime also receives questions from expectant mothers with drug or alcohol addiction issues, wondering if adoption is possible. They fear their baby may have developmental delays due to drug and alcohol use. The fact is, we have many families who are ready to open their hearts to a child born with complications due to drug or alcohol use. Our families are well screened and educated about what adopting a special needs child entails and will welcome your child with love and joy in their hearts.
Lifetime Adoption has helped many expectant mothers in this situation make an adoption plan through special needs infant adoption. Know that you absolutely can place a special needs baby for adoption.
Choosing Adoptive Parents for Your Baby
Many hopeful adoptive parents are ready and waiting to give the long-term care and commitment that a special needs baby will need. Unfortunately, high medical bills, extra care and attention, and personal sacrifices usually come with having a special needs child. If you’re unable to provide the commitment, time, and financial support he needs, adoption options are available to you.
All Lifetime’s adoptive families have had background checks, been pre-screened, and interviewed by a social worker to ensure that they’re fit to be parents. And, they have the finances, time, and support needed to devote to a baby who will have special needs.
Special Needs Infant Adoption – Lifetime is Here for You
We’re here for you. Regardless of where you are in your thought process, Lifetime can help. Every child can benefit from the opportunity to grow up in a loving family. If you and your baby’s father cannot meet the needs of a baby born with medical issues, Lifetime can help you explore adoption as you get ready for the arrival of your baby.
Making an adoption plan for a baby with special needs is a loving choice and can be the right answer for some birth families. If you want to wait until your baby is born to find out for sure what his needs will be, you can always make an adoption plan after birth too. It’s never too late.
The adoption process with Lifetime is entirely free of charge, legal, safe, and easy to start when you’re ready.
By confessing that you can’t provide what a special needs baby requires, you’re not letting them down or being selfish. Adoption is a huge act of love. There is a family for every child. To learn more or get started, call or text us anytime at 1-800-923-6784.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on July 12, 2016, and has since been updated.
Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P., is nationally recognized as an expert on open adoption. A Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P.), Caldwell is the founder of Lifetime Adoption Center, established in 1986. She has assisted in over 2,000 successful adoptions and was one of the first adoption professionals on the Internet.
Caldwell’s life work is dedicated to educating and helping birth parents find the right adoptive parents for their child. She spreads the word about modern adoption through speaking appearances, webinars, online resources, and as a podcast show host.
She has written several award-winning books, including So I Was Thinking About Adoption, the first book of its kind. There are many reasons women choose adoption, and this short book is a comprehensive resource to make the best plan for you and your baby. Caldwell wrote So I Was Thinking About Adoption as a handy guide to the details of the adoption process.
Caldwell has made over 150 media appearances, including ABC News, CBS News, Larry King Live, CNN Headline News, NBC’s The Today Show, CNN’s The Campbell Brown Show, NBC News, KGO Newstalk Radio, CNN’s Black in America II, MSNBC, Fox, PBS, BBC, and Dr. Laura.
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