What if My Baby Has Special Needs?

As a birth mother, you want what is best for your child. In some situations where your child has special needs or safety requirements, you may realize you cannot provide the proper care necessary for them. Out of love for your baby, you may consider adoption but find yourself asking questions like:

• Can you give a special needs child up for adoption in Ohio?
• Are there adoptive families looking for children with special needs?
• Is the process of putting a special needs child up for adoption different?

American Adoptions has written this guide to provide you with answers to these questions and more. Here, we will educate you on how an adoption is always an option — even if your child has special needs. You will learn how the process for putting a special needs child up for adoption is similar to placing a fully healthy child, and most importantly, that there are adoptive families that would love to become the parents of your baby.

In many situations, the best thing you can do if you are thinking adoption for a child with special needs is connect with an adoption agency that specializes in this type of adoption. Below, you will find a list of these agencies.

If you have questions about the adoption process, special needs adoptions, or anything else related to adoption in Ohio, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out this online form to get more information. Adoption is a life-changing and brave decision, one you do not have to make on your own. American Adoptions is here to provide the support you need, so you can focus on finding the best family for your baby. If we are unable to provide the specific services required for your situation, we can connect you with a professional better equipped to support you through this process.

Please continue reading to learn more about giving a special needs child up for adoption in Ohio.

Can You Give a Special Needs Child Up for Adoption in Ohio?

The goal of adoption is to provide babies and children the best opportunities for a successful life, surrounded by a loving and supportive family. With this goal in mind, an adoption is always an option, even if your baby has special needs.  

With over 30 years of experience as one of the nation's largest domestic infant adoption agencies, we are well trained in the process of helping prospective birth parents find the best adoptive family for your child. We are here to help ease any concerns you may have and provide the support and services you need along the way. Some of those services include:  

• Adoption planning and case management services. This is what begins your adoption process and details each step and your personal preferences along the way.
• Assistance in finding an adoptive family for your baby.
• 24/7 support. This includes counseling services and a hotline you can call anytime with questions or concerns throughout your pregnancy.
• Financial assistance. Depending upon your specific situation, we will ensure you receive the full amount of financial assistance you are entitled to throughout your adoption process.  
• Legal representation to guide you through all legalities of adoption.    
• And more   

Our goal is to provide the best support possible for prospective birth parents. Sometimes, that may mean referring you to another organization that is even better equipped to handle the placement of a child with special needs for adoption.

Keep in mind, adoption is always free for birth parents, so you can rest easy knowing that you will receive the highest level of support without having to face a financial burden. These services and the support from our specialists will allow you to focus on the needs of your child and finding the best family for them.

If you have questions about the services American Adoptions provides during your adoption or how giving up a special needs baby for adoption is an option, give us a call at 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our online form to get more information. 

Are There Adoptive Families Looking for Children with Special Needs?

One of the top concerns we hear from prospective birth mothers considering putting a special needs child up for adoption is them questioning if there are adoptive families hoping to adopt a child with special needs?

The answer is a resounding yes!

There are many hopeful adoptive families that are open to and actively searching for a child with special needs or disabilities. Much like birth mothers having their own reasons for choosing to place a child for adoption, adoptive families are hoping to adopt for various reasons as well. 

In order to connect you to families with these preferences, you will need to disclose and determine the extent of your child's special needs and disabilities. This will help your adoption specialist find a family that is fully capable and prepared to support the needs of your child. 

As a domestic infant adoption agency, we tend to work with babies and children under the age of one. We fully understand that you may be in a situation where you are having a hard time providing the care your older child may need.

 Although we will do everything we can to help you find the perfect adoptive family for your child with disabilities and provide you the support you need, depending upon the extent of your baby or child's needs, American Adoptions may partner with a trusted resource that is better fit to finding a family that can suit your child's needs. Some of those resources may include:

• The Cradle
• Special Angels Adoption
• National Down Syndrome Adoption Network

Finding the best adoptive family for your baby is one of the most exciting and important decisions you will make. When you create an adoption plan, you will be in complete control of the process, including the preferences for the type of adoptive family you are looking for.

Contact one of the agencies listed above or call 1-800-ADOPTION to learn more about finding the best adoptive family when giving up a special needs baby for adoption in Ohio.

What Is the Process of Putting a Special Needs Child Up for Adoption in Ohio?

When you are placing a child with health issues and special needs up for adoption, the adoption process is similar to what it would be like for a prospective birth mother placing a healthy child. The main difference is full disclosure of your child's special needs. This is important so that adoptive families know in advance if they are capable and ready to provide the support your child needs.  

The process itself can be broken down into five main steps.

Step 1: Make the decision adoption is best for your baby/child. Once you have decided to pursue adoption, you can connect with an agency that is the best fit for your situation. This could be American Adoptions, or it could be one of the agencies listed above. Once you connect, an adoption specialist will learn more about your situation, have you fill out an adoption planning template, and begin the planning process.

Step 2: Create an adoption plan. This plan will cover the details of your adoption. From the preferences for an adoptive family, to the type of adoption you wish to pursue, the adoption plan puts you in control of the important decisions throughout your journey.  

Step 3: Find the adoptive family. We cannot stress the importance of this step in the process, but we also need to point out the excitement finding the best family for your baby can bring. Knowing you are placing your child with a family that will provide them with a lifetime of love, support, and the care they need is an indescribable feeling.  

Step 4: Create your hospital birth plan. This plan will cover details such as the hospital you will deliver your baby (if you have not given birth), who you want in the delivery room, how you prefer placement to occur, and more. Having this plan in place helps eliminate any confusion or added stress when the time comes for delivery. 

During placement you will sign your consent paperwork, which means you are choosing to relinquish your parental rights, and the adoptive family is taking them over. In Ohio, you must wait 48 hours after delivery before you can sign these forms. Your specialist and attorney will explain the importance of being certain this is the path you wish for your baby.

Step 5: Determining the post-adoption relationship that works best for you. When finding an adoptive family for your baby, you will determine the type of relationship you wish to have post-placement. If you choose an open adoption, you will have the opportunity to remain updated on your baby, and depending upon the level of openness agreed upon, you may even have interactions with the adoptive family and your baby.

This is a brief overview of how the adoption process works when putting a child with special needs for adoption. An American Adoptions specialist can provide more details of each step in the process and your involvement along the way, as can an adoption professional from one of the special needs adoption agencies listed above. From when you are just exploring your options to when placement has occurred, you will have the support you need to feel confident in your decision and that the process is being completed as best as possible

Contact American Adoptions

To learn more about "giving up" a child with special needs for adoption in Ohio, please reach out to an agency that specializes in this type of adoption, or fill out our online form to get more information and the answers to any questions you may have. Adoption is a selfless and emotional decision. American Adoptions is here to make sure your needs are being met while your baby's best interests are being taken care of.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.