Exploring Special Needs Adoptions and the Applicability of Life Care Plans

At the end of 2015, there were approximately 111,820 children in the United States foster care system awaiting adoption, and 81.3% of this population were classified as having special needs. Despite the increase in the rate of special needs adoptions, the number of children awaiting placement has remained relatively stable. Research has shown that the length and number of foster placements greatly impacts a child’s emotional well-being. As such it is important for these children to find permanent placement that will provide them with stability. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the issues present with special needs adoptions as well as the potential of life care planning to address them. Due to limited research on the topic, qualitative methods were used to investigate this phenomenon. Specifically, qualitative interviews were conducted with parents who had adopted children with special needs. Parents were also shown an example of a life care plan and questioned regarding their perceptions on its applicability to the adoption process. When examining the qualitative interviews, a number of themes were revealed including decision making characteristics, emotions regarding the adoption process and challenges in adopting and raising a child with special needs. Furthermore, parents felt that a life care plan is a useful tool to address some of the issues identified in this study. Future research on the application of life care plans was discussed as well as the impact of the findings on clinical practice.