Special Needs

Are you considering adopting a child with special needs? Begin your research with these links to general medical information and other resources. Some online support groups are private and require preapproval from the group owner in order to join.

WACAP provides these links as a resource for families as they research the actual and potential health issues related to any referred child, to children available for adoption in particular countries, and to international adoption in general. WACAP, however, is unable to endorse any company, organization, or product that is listed on this resource or to verify the accuracy of information provided by these sources. Rather, WACAP encourages families to discuss all medical information obtained from any source with their health care providers.

Please contact if you would like to speak with a parent who has adopted a child with a specific special need. For example, if you are considering adopting a child with a certain condition, you might find it helpful to speak with an experienced family who has already adopted a child with the same condition. WACAP is happy to provide this resource.

Name of condition
Medical information
Additional resources
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)
Support group for parents of children with AD/HD

Albinism
Support group for people with albinism
Support group for parents of children with albinism
Support group for parents of children with albinism adopted from China
Support group for parents of children with albinism adopted from India

Amputation
 
 
 

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
Support group for parents of children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

Autism
Support group for parents of children with autism

Birthmarks
Support group for parents of children with birthmarks

Blindness
Support group for parents of children with blindness

Cerebral Palsy

Cleft Lip and Palate
Support group for parents and individuals with cleft lip and palate

Clubfoot
Support group for parents and individuals affected by clubfoot
 

Cognitive Delay
Support group for parents and individuals with cognitive delays

Congenital Heart Diseases
Support group for parents and individuals affected by congenital heart disease

Dandy Walker Syndrome
Support group for parents and individuals with dandy walker syndrome

Deafness
Support group for parents of children who are deaf
Support group for parents of children who are deaf

Down Syndrome
Support group for parents of children with Down syndrome
Support group for parents of children with Down syndrome

Droopy Eye (Ptosis)
Support group for parents of children with ptosis

Dwarfism
Support group for parents of Little People

Epilepsy
Support group for parents of children with epilepsy

Facial palsy
Support group for parents and individuals with facial palsy

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)
List of support groups maintained by University of Washington Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit

Hemophilia

Hepatitis B
Web site of Dr. Jane Aronson, international adoption medical specialist

HIV
Support group for families adopting children with HIV

Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus Association provides support for individuals with this condition

Hypospadia
Support group for parents and individuals affected by Hypospadia

Intersexuality (hemaphrodite)
Support group for parents of intersex children

Limb differences
Support group for parents adopting children with limb differences

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Support group for parents of children with oppositional defiant disorder

Older child
Support group for parents adopting older children
Support group for parents adopting older children

Pierre Robin Sequence (Syndrome)

Russia: Medical Terms Commonly Found in Reports of Russian Orphans

Scoliosis
Support groups for parents and individuals with scoliosis
Support groups for parents and individuals with scoliosis
Support group for parents of children with scoliosis

Sexual abuse—children
Support group for parents of emotionally and/or behaviorally disturbed children

Spina Bifida
Support group for parents adopting children with spina bifida

Strabismus (eyeballs positioned differently)
Support group for parents and individuals with strabismus

Thalassemia
Resources for parents of children with thalassemia

Williams syndrome
Support group for people affected by Williams syndrome

Products and services for children with special needs
Car seats
Home safety
Toys