Special Needs Adoption: Help comes out of the woodwork
In part two, I discussed the many sources of knowledge and support to which we turned as we made the decision about adopting a child with special needs. Even though Cora has been home with us for more than six months now, I am amazed at the help that seems to bubble up continuously [...]
Importance of securing citizenship for internationally adopted children, part 2
Anyway, this was darn frustrating to me. It’s unbelievable to me that someone who works in the Social Security office doesn’t know about the Child Citizenship Act. But even more than frustrating, it’s scary. Just because we know a child is a citizen doesn’t mean everyone will, and it’s important that we [...]
Importance of securing citizenship for internationally adopted children, part 1
Yesterday, I traveled as planned to our nearest Social Security office to apply for Social Security cards for our four newest children and to request a name change for our first adopted child, Maizie, whom we brought home from China in December of 2002.
When the woman behind the desk asked for proof of Maizie’s citizenship, [...]
Applying for a social security number for an adopted child, part 3
For information about applying for a social security card for an internationally adopted child:
link
For a domestically adopted child:
link
And for those concerned about the proposed USCIS rate increases, the public is invited to comment on the proposals until April 2. Below is the pertinent information:
Fees are increasing at USCIS. The following is an outline on [...]
Applying for a social security number for an adopted child, part 2
Which leads me to the other reason I’ve been pulling my hair out this week. I appreciate the Child Citizenship Act, I really do. It was wonderful to get our newest children’s Certificates sent automatically rather than having to file a bunch of paperwork and submit a large fee. The problem is, [...]
Applying for a social security number for an adopted child, part 1
Or, How to Drive Yourself Nuts in Five Simple Steps
Boy, when it rains, it pours! This has started out to be a CRAZY busy week, and I feel badly that it’s taken me a few days to finally get a post up. When I was mulling over some of the topics I’ve been [...]
Developmental Assessments for Adopted Children, part 3
Who should evaluate your child
In our program, we have a multidisciplinary clinic that meets together a few times per month. We evaluate three children in the morning, with a rotating system, and then meet with the parents in the afternoon to discuss our findings and recommendations. Many early intervention programs offer a similar [...]
Developmental Assessments for Adopted Children, part 2
How to get an assessment for your child
In most cases, a parent’s first step is to get a referral from their child’s doctor. Unfortunately, there are far too many physicians who prefer to take a “wait and see” approach, and this is absolutely inappropriate for a child “at risk” because of his or her [...]
Developmental Assessments for Adopted Children, part 1
Most families who adopt waste no time having their children seen by a pediatrician or other appropriate physician. Particularly when children are adopted internationally, there are all sorts of things to rule out and check for (parasites and malnutrition being two we’re still battling, three months later). Those who adopt newborns domestically with [...]
