Post-Adoption Stress and Support Needs of Families Relative to Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Disability: A Parent Survey

Abstract

Existing occupational therapy literature focuses on sensory and developmental needs for newly adopted children but has not considered the ongoing needs of adoptive families from a disability studies perspective. This study surveyed adoptive families with minor children about their post-adoption stress and support needs (N = 127). Findings indicated elevated rates of neurodevelopmental disorders and associated stress related to finding and affording supports that are adoption and trauma-informed, and adjusting to changing needs over time. Support for adoptive families includes education, advocacy, and direct intervention, supporting family member’s changing needs over time, and navigating but not fixing many support needs.

Keywords:

• Adoption
• post-adoption
• occupational therapy
• neurodevelopmental disability
• disability
• mental health

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to David H. Scott, PhD, for his expertise and assistance throughout the design and implementation of the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Author contributions

The conception, design, data collection, and quantitative data analysis for this study was completed by Sheryl J Ryan. The qualitative data analysis, interpretation of all the data, drafting of the paper, revisions for intellectual content, and final approval were completed by all three authors: Sheryl J Ryan, Caroline McCarty, and Ember Farnam-Alavi. All three authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the study described in this article.

Data deposition

N/A

Data availability statement

The data sets are not available.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Fuller Adoption Research Fellowship, under Grant #20180003.