Special Needs Adoption

Special Needs Adoption is the adoption of a child that has been in the foster care system for an extended period of time. The state of Wisconsin has a list of children that are waiting to be adopted. These children usually have special needs regarding mental or physical health, and require extra love, patience, and attention from their adoptive parents. Adoption Services can provide the adoptive homestudy, coordination with county services, court reports, and post placement services. This type of adoption can cost between $1,800 - $2,500.

Common Q & A

Children with special needs often have emotional and/or physical needs or disabilities that require more attention. Children available are typically from 5-18 years old. There are also infants that are available, but they often have very serious physical or medical needs. Many of these children are currently in foster care. Some of the children's birthparents have relinquished rights, believing their child would prosper better in another family, and some of the children have been ordered by a judge to be taken away from their birthfamily. In these cases, children have often been exposed to parental neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional deprivation.

Yes. There are thousands of children waiting for families. Each year WI strives to place these children in supportive, loving, and permanent homes.

Special Needs Adoptions are not necessarily difficult, they just require more patience. They may take a little jumping around to get where you intend. One of the reasons why is because the child may still have ties to the birthfamily. They may have a family member who is fighting for custody, or the birthparents may be refusing the termination of their parental rights. Other difficulties that may arise could be working with different agencies, state regulations, foster placement, medical needs, and others. It may take some time, but with patience and understanding, it can be done!

Special Needs Adoptions are often considered more challenging. It takes a strong, loving, and determined parent to be able to care for these children. These children often need more one-on-one attention, love, and discipline. There may also be cases of a sibling group that needs to stay together. This will require additional resources from the adoptive family. The best way to prepare you for a special needs adoption is to educate yourself. The more you know about the circumstances and life situations these children are coming from, the better able you will be to access the needed resources. Visit Adoption Resources of Wisconsin for more information on Special Needs Adoption.

These adoptions are less expensive because only a homestudy and post placement reports need to be done. Adoption reimbursements from the State (up to $2,000) may also be available for adoption related expenses.