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Awhile ago I sent my homestudy in for a six year old little boy who also has Down Syndrome. I just got a call to set up a phone interview with his placement team. Its not for a couple of weeks but I want to put together a list of questions to ask. So....what should I put on that list? Thanks in advance!
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As waited2long said, definitely get developmental info and past placement info. Think about what developmental level you can handle (if you were looking for 6-12 year olds, say, this 6 yo may seem very young to you, especially if neglect or multiple placements has caused delays as well as the Down Syndrome). He may not be verbal or potty trained, etc. Ask the same questions you would of any child entering your home.
I have a bio DD with Down Syndrome and have fostered a 2 yo boy who had it as well. The main thing I discovered was that the little boy had WAY more in common (when it came to behaviors and problems) with other foster kids than with my DD and other kids with Down Syndrome I have known. My experience with foster kids prepared me much more so than my experience with our DD.
Do ask about medical history, as well. Many kids with Down Syndrome have heart defects and vision/hearing problems, you may have some extra doctor's visits to get in with this child. Otherwise, I'd think the normal questions for a new placement will cover it :)
Good luck to you on your foster or adoptive journey!
In addition to the normal questions you would ask about a placement, ask what his current school placement is (self contained (is it condition specific, like an MR room or is it all disabilites mixed together-- which likely means he was being schooled with behavior kids), regular class room with pull out (if so, what percent is in regular ed), special school, institutionalized). How is he doing in school? You might want to look into what your district does for special ed kids and make sure the options available work for you and the child. For instance, I live in a nice neighborhood but the only school woth my DD's self contained program is far away from my home. Until we complained she had a 2 hour bus ride each way (and the only way we got an exception was because of medical issues, otherwise we would have had no choice about the 2 hour bus ride). Ask what services outside of school he currently receives. If it is a placement across state lines ask if any of those services would continue if placed with you.
I just noticed that you are single. I don't know what your child care plans are for him but before you take the placement you should make sure that you will have child care available if you are going to work. I know that for my disabled DD there was no longer any daycare type child care available after age 7 in my large city and special ed kids could not participate in after school care at school. You should check into what kind of child care is available not only for his current age but also for teens.
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This is my list I've composed a few years ago. Some of the questions may apply; others may not. Just throwing this out there for you to use if it can help....good luck!
Sincerely,
Linny
THE LIST
Questions for parents considering the placement of a special needs child.
1. # of placements child has had; how long they lasted, why they disrupted. (Usually
folks are uneasy to disclose the 'why'....but I'd really try to find out!)
2. Permission (and I've done this w/o permission too) to contact past foster parents. (This
info can prove to be INVALUABLE...and most foster parents will gladly provide info as
to the 'why')
3. "Why" didn't past foster parents adopt this child?
4. At what age was the child 'removed from the home'..what type of pre-natal care
(especially drug use, etc), what's the situation with any sibs (adoption, prenatal drug use,
residential care, etc.?)
5. What kind of medication is the child on NOW....and what types has the child been on
previously? (Also, what types of diagnoses has this child been given in the past, by what
type of professional (psychiatrist,psychologist, or your 'mental health counselor' who
suspects something?)
6. What prompted termination? Did either parent voluntarily surrender and 'why'? Try to
get the psychologicals on the birthparents. (In some places, this is a 'no-no'...but we've
been given these before w/o asking. Many psychological traits have a genetic
pre-disposition.)
7. Where are the biologicals now? Are there relatives in the area near you, and any chance
they'll be a problem?
8. What kinds of hospitalization (especially ER) has this child had? tests, etc. If so, you'd
like the paperwork!
9. What's this child been told about adoption? Does this child lament for his/her
biologicals?
10. What type of relationship did this child have with birthparents? ie, was this child
forced into being the 'parent' because parents were unable to be just that? Did this child
have to take care of younger, older sibs?
11. How does this child perceive him/herself? Is she self-centered? Does she share well?
(And I don't care how old the child is....this may still be a problem.)
12. Has or has this child EVER had a diagnoses of RAD (reactive attachment
disorder)...or ANY type of attachment disorder? How has 'the system' helped this child
deal with this? (Holdings, play therapy, etc.)
13. How long has this child been in therapy, and what types have been used?
14. Does this child act out sexually? If not now, EVER? And IF ever, how and how long
since the last time?
And...one of the most IMPORTANT questions we think you should ask YOURSELF:
"If this child were to get NO better after being in our home, could we handle his/her
behaviors 'just as they are, NOW'......as if there would be NO improvement, etc.
I think this is important, as classes continually say that 'this child just needs some love
and attention and permanancy, and you'll see how much improvement this child will
make!!!" This DOESN'T ALWAYS happen, and is a point to consider when taking on
special needs children.