Adopting or Fostering a Child with Down Syndrome
Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster & Kinship Care
01/29/25
•46m
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Are you considering adopting or fostering a child with Down Syndrome? Join our conversation with Dr. Sara Williams, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She provides developmental evaluations and follow-up care for children with a variety of neurodevelopmental disabilities, including in the Thomas Center for Down Syndrome.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What is Down syndrome?
- How common is it?
- What are the different types of Down syndrome? Is genetic testing routinely done when Down syndrome is suspected?
- What are some of the common physical traits of a person with Down syndrome?
- What are the common developmental disabilities caused by this disorder?
- What are the common intellectual disabilities caused by this disorder?
- Is there a way to know in advance how intellectually impacted a child may be?
- Do the symptoms differ depending on the type of Down syndrome the child has?
- What are the common mental health issues that people with this disorder may exhibit?
- What are some ways to determine the degree of impact if you adopt a child past infancy?
- Interventions that can help.
- How do these kids fit within the school system? What is the school system required to do?
- What are the common medical conditions that may accompany trisomy 21?
- What is the life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome?
- Is there a medical specialty that those considering adopting or fostering a child with Down syndrome should seek out?
- What are some common mental health issues and behavioral issues that may be more common in people with Down syndrome?
- How to find mental health and behavioral treatment for children and adults with Down syndrome?
- How does trauma interact with Down syndrome?
- Is attachment difficult for kids with Down syndrome who have experienced trauma?
- Are people with Down syndrome able to live independently in adulthood?
- What makes a difference in the prognosis for children with Down syndrome?
- Why should people consider adopting or fostering a child with Down syndrome?
Resources:
- National Down Syndrome Society (list of specialized centers)
- Global Down Syndrome
- Reece’s Rainbow
- Understanding Down Syndrome
- American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report: Health Supervision for Children With Down Syndrome
Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.
Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:
- Weekly podcasts
- Weekly articles/blog posts
- Resource pages on all aspects of family building
Previous Episode
My Foster Son Was Put In a Dog Pen. How Do I Help Him Heal? - Weekend Wisdom
January 25, 2025
•8m
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Question: My 4-year-old foster son moved in 9 months ago. He will likely remain with me permanently, and the application is in progress. I was his 5th foster home when he moved in. There was neglect at his birth parents and abuse in a previous foster home. Last weekend he was being babysat by my sister and brother-in-law. They went to the basement to show him a toy, and he saw a large dog cage they were planning to sell online. He was immediately triggered, ran upstairs, hid under the pillows in a bed, and it took 10 minutes to feel safe. He was obviously placed in a dog cage at some point. How do I support him, talk to him about what happened, and make him feel safe? How should I support him and help him calm his nervous system if he is triggered again?
Resources:
- A Conversation with Dr. Bruce Perry About Trauma
- 6 Crucial Things Every Adoptive Parent Must Do
- Using Scripts to Build Trust with Foster & Adopted Kids
- Suggested Book List - Kids Who Have Experienced Trauma
Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.
Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:
- Weekly podcasts
- Weekly articles/blog posts
- Resource pages on all aspects of family building
Next Episode
We Want to Adopt, but My Father-in-Law Has Terminal Cancer - Weekend Wisdom
February 1, 2025
•3m
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Question: My father-in-law was just diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a maximum of 6 months left to live. We learned this right before our home study for older child/foster care adoption was finalized. Do you have any advice for what we should do with our adoption process moving forward? I am worried if we match before my husband is done grieving, we could add additional trauma to the child, but there is no set timeline for grieving. How do we deal with our loss while helping a child get through their loss?
Resources:
- Creating a Family Online Support Group (Facebook)
- Transitioning a Child to Your Home (Resource Page)
- Helping a Child Heal from Trauma (Resource Page)
Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.
Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:
- Weekly podcasts
- Weekly articles/blog posts
- Resource pages on all aspects of family building
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