International adoption is a process that brings children from various countries to the United States to be raised by parents who have a different heritage. Most children adopted internationally develop and thrive in their new families. Unfortunately, many adopted children are at risk of developmental delays after arriving in the United States. Adoptive parents should be aware of options for help if issues with development arise.
Physical Development
A child adopted from another country may have physical developmental delays. According to Patricia Irwin Johnston, author of "Adopting: Sound Choices, Strong Families," motor skills such as kicking or rolling over may be delayed, because a child from an orphanage might not have been stimulated. The child must spend time catching up. Parents should prepare themselves for delays. A child can typically catch up to appropriate milestones after several months.
Emotional Development
A child may come from an orphanage that did not provide adequate care. He most likely was separated from his birth parents at a very early age. This lack of care and very early separation often impede emotional development. A child may be dealing with grief and loss issues even years after his adoption. He may wonder why he was adopted and what happened to his birth family. During school-age years, an adopted child may question his identity as part of the family. An adopted adolescent may not show typical teen emotions until he is older or even in his 20s.
Language Development
Language development takes time. Before adoption, many children live in situations that do not promote speech or reciprocity in language. A move to the United States and the necessity to learn English can be overwhelming. Parents should have their child evaluated, regardless of age, to see if special speech-development work is needed.
Attachment
An adopted child follows developmental milestones as he grows, but some levels may be achieved at different ages. Parents should be flexible about a child’s abilities as he progresses. Regardless of age at adoption, a child must undergo a process of attachment with his new parents. The first year, parents can show affection and respond to their child’s cries, allowing him to learn to trust. A child’s attachment to his parents does not happen immediately.
Considerations
Parents who see that their child is not meeting milestones or showing signs of catching up after several months may need to seek further help. Reading books about appropriate developmental milestones can provide guidance as to what tasks a child should meet by each age. Parents may also need to contact a therapist for issues with emotional development if the child shows signs of continued anger, grief or loss after an adoption. Developmental professionals, such as those involved with the public school system, can evaluate the child.
