Adopting Older Children

Adopting an older child presents a unique set of joy and challenges. From knowing what kind of information is important to have to anticipating potential stumbling blocks to a smooth transition, this course serves as a guide to anyone considering adopting a child older than an infant (whether internationally or from the US public welfare system).

Arleta James discusses helping children navigate relationships when new kids join the family. Our experts will share transition tips and strategies for welcoming a toddler or school aged child home, focusing on preparing brothers and sisters prior to adoption and the first year after adoption.

Adopting a child of a different race or ethnicity presents challenges families may not expect.  Share in the wisdom and collective experiences of adopted persons and adoptive parents with transracial families and learn new skills for responding to insensitive comments as well as strategies for expanding the diversity in your life.

An "in the trenches" discussion on how parents of adopted children with special needs can get connected and supported. Martha Osborne, adopted person, adoptive mom and founder of the largest special needs adoption advocacy website, RainbowKids.com, discusses the unexpected challenges parents of post-institutionalized children often face.

Join Dr. Ira Chasnoff as he helps parents sort through complications that may arise when raising a child who was exposed to alcohol before birth. Dr Chasnoff will explain the physical and developmental impact of pre-natal alcohol exposure on children as they grow. He will also offer practical intervention ideas and strategies that parents can use to help their child develop to their maximum potential.

It is natural for adopted children to grieve the life and family they never knew, no matter how old they were when adopted, how open the adoption or how happy their life with the adoptive family. This course will help adoptive parents recognize the signs of grief at different developmental stages, identify situations that may trigger grief and develop strategies to help children grieve.

A Lifebook is a book created for an adopted child that tells his story, before and after adoption.  It helps children place foster care or adoption in the context of their life experiences.  This course will help you understand the purpose and importance of a Lifebook, identify situations in which it is beneficial and develop some pages of your child's Lifebook.

Attachment is an essential component of any healthy, happy family. Adoption, however, may present challenges to the attachment process. Designed for both first time adoptive parents and parents struggling with attachment issues with their adopted child, this course provides practical tips on how to form and sustain this important bond.

Adopted people and adoptive parents don’t always look at adoption the same way. Understanding your child’s feelings about adoption is essential, so how do you gain some insight?Our panel of adult adopted people discusses what they wish their parents had known.

Brain Development Matters thoroughly explains the impact that early trauma has on a child's brain chemistry, brain development and sensory processing. Once parents understand how their child's brain is connected to his behaviors, these behaviors begin to make more sense. With a thorough understanding of brain development, parents are better prepared to learn how to more successfully intervene and shape their child's troubling behaviors.

The goal of this course is to help parents understand the toll raising a tough start child can take on them, their relationships and their other children. Family Matters teaches techniques parents can use to support each member of the family, and themselves, through these challenges.

Parenting Matters applies a strengths-based, therapeutic approach to parenting in order to heal a child who has had a tough start in life. Learn this deliberate and intentional approach to parenting through exercises, family stories and expert advice.

Treatment Matters gives parents strategies for seeking professional help as soon as they recognize significant challenges in their child. Understand the importance of a diagnosis, when to consider medication and how to choose a therapist.

This course was designed to address immediate issues families adopting school aged children face while getting to know one another. The course discusses school placement, the impact of previous life experience, maintaining connections with people from the past, language, sleeping, eating, discipline and attachment.