In the United States, more than 110,000 children with special needs are waiting for permanent homes. Traditionally, children with special needs have been considered harder to place for adoption than other children, but experience has shown that many children with special needs can be placed successfully with families who want them. The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-89) has focused more attention on finding homes for children with special needs and making sure they receive the post-adoption services they need. Congress enacted the law to ensure that children in foster care, who cannot be reunited with their birth parents, are freed for adoption and placed with permanent families as quickly as possible.

Table of Contents

1 - What does "special needs" mean?

2 - Who may adopt a child with special needs?

3 - Could I parent a child with special needs successfully?

4 - What is the first step?

5 - How are children matched with families?

6 - What does adoption cost? Is financial support available?

7 - What kinds of services are available to my family after adoption?

8 - How can I learn more about children with special needs?