My husband and I have adopted 2 children...one is 13 and one is 3. We have been asked to adopt a 4 year old w
Answer:
Kids with autism can be a challenge, but are also a blessing. People with autism need lots of routine and stability. Accomodations are needed both at home and in school to help kids with autism be successful. There are different degrees within the autism spectrum. Asberger's is on the higher end of the spectrum. I would look for autism specialists in your area and ask lots of questions about how this child could affect your family. Ask for current evaluations to get a picture of this little guy. Find out what his current school is doing to accomodate him and see if your area schools can give him the same assistance. It's a big decision. Ask a lot of questions about behavior, any behavior problems he might be having and what is being done do help with them. Good luck.
If your entire family, including your other children, are willing to change their lives 100% and support this child for the rest of his life, then yes you should do this. It means you shouldn't ever think of holding a job outside of the home, and having lots of medical bills (and good insurance).
Since one of your children is 3, I would recommend NOT adopting a child with Aspergers. If your 3 year old were 10, then it would be easier, but that's a heavy load. Also, the fact that the school doesn't have a good program means that there will be even more burden on you - driving miles to specialists and special training - I honestly woulnd't do it if I were you.
BTW, I have two high risk adopted foster children, so I am speaking from a voice of experience.
I know nothing about Aspergers. But, please check that condition out on WebMD - read all of it - to see if you are willing to undertake such an obviously difficult responsibility.
You are already on the right track in checking out the special education programs in your town.
Please think ahead - 20 years - & try to foresee what it will be like having this situation for each & every one of you to see if you are willing to take on the difficulties.
Good luck.
There are MANY versions of Aspergers. I work with special needs children in the summer and have seen the gammit. Some aspergers kids seem more like ADD or ADHD kids. Not to scare you from adopting this child, but I have seen aspergers kids who become violent. This is mainly because the parents do not have the proper amount of structure at home. The majority of aspergers students are SUPER intelligent, even if it's just one subject or area. My cousin is mildly aspergers. He is super intelligent but had a lot of trouble sociallizing when he was younger (he's 15 now).
As far as special ed programs at your school, your child may end up being in the gifted program. Just make sure that there is an understanding that the child needs LOTS of structure. The child will definetly need a schedule and routines. A picture schedule may help.
I would not hesitate to adopt a child with aspergers, you just have to prepare for a few "extra" steps.
It is good that you are asking and I hope you get your answers.
I have watched documentaries on children with Aspergers and the other siblings really suffered because these children take up so much of the parents time. these children have serious anger issues and can get really violent. The children on this documentary on HBO killed pets and try to stab their parents and hurt other kids.
The school is another reason to really think this through because if they have never worked with a child with Aspergers then they are probably not trained in this area and that would be cheating the child of the help he will need and the teachers and students won't know how to deal with his behavior.
I think it is great that you have adopted children, I would love to adopt a child now that mine children are grown. there are so many children who need love and those of us who have it should give it.
Please do your homework on this and try to visit someone who has a child with Aspergers. This is a serious subject that really needs to be understood.
good luck on your decision.
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