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Journal of Social Work
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Issues Facing Adoptive Mothers of Children with Special Needs

Heather Forbes

Sophia F. Dziegielewski

University of Central Florida, USASdziegie{at}mail.ucf.edu

• Summary: Intensive interviews were conducted with 14 adoptive mothers, which identified 16 challenges adoptive mothers face when adopting children with special needs. The purpose was to specify and understand the issues these mothers of special needs children present when seeking professional therapy. The intent was also to increase awareness for professionals working in the field of adoption.

• Findings: Findings indicated that these adoptive mothers were faced with a broad range of issues relating to societal, health, emotional, family, financial, and child behavioral factors. The prevalence of these issues was not influenced by differing demographics, by ages of the children at the time of adoption, nor by the types of adoptions.

• Applications: Adoptive mothering of special needs children is different from other mothering and needs to be recognized with its challenges. Post-adoption support services that adequately and financially meet the needs of these mothers and their families can help to build strong healthy adoptive families. In doing so, there is a strong potential for a decrease in the number of adoption disruptions and an increase in the level of adoption satisfaction.

Key Words: adoption • adoptive mothers • children • special needs

Journal of Social Work, Vol. 3, No. 3, 301-320 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/146801730333003
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