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I received an email from an adoption recruiter regarding an 8 yo boy who requires total care and will require total care for the rest of his life. Adoptuskids referred me to her as a possible match. She connected me with the worker. I was able to obtain the following info from the worker today:
The child is disabled because of being born prematurely and having a brain bleed. The bleed caused brain damage.
The child does not have "medical issues" as regards issues with his heart, kidneys, etc.
The child has a G tube; however, the adoptuskids site says he is starting to take foods by mouth.
I also know that he is non-verbal and cannot stay sitting without assistance at this time; however, it is hoped in the future he will be able to walk with a walker. (I also know I can't count on that because I have to be able to accept him as he is now.)
The foster parent is going to call me this weekend and I'm trying to come up with some questions to ask. I am seriously thinking about taking this child; however, I want to come up with questions to ask the foster parent to make sure I have as close to a total picture as I can.
I know that I need to ask what type of medications he is on. This will tell me a lot. For example, if he's on something like Risperdone, he has behaviors, etc.
Can anyone give me some guidance on other things I could ask?
Thanks.
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TO get a better picture of him you could ask
Is he attached to her?
Does he play? What with and how?
What does he like to do?
How does he sleep (how long, what times, where, good sleeper, is it hard to get him to bed)?
How does she transport him places? Can he transfer himself from bed to wheel chair, to couch etc. . .
Where does he go to school and how long has he gone there (if it has been a while, that teacher will be a great resource).
How is he bathed?
Is he potty trained (if so, what sassistance is required for that)? Diapers? Cathed (if so, what assistance is required for that?)
What kind of gtube does he have? How long has the hole been there? How often does he need the tube changed?
What therapy is he getting?
Is he aware of his situation (both being diabled and being in fostercare)?
Can he follow 1 or 2 step commands?
How long has he been in care and what are the circumstances that lead to him being placed in care.
If you get past this round of questions with answers that make you want to move forward, you will need to ask all the normal placement questions.
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I would also ask if he gets any nursing hours and what the current foster family does for respite (and if they are close to you, maybe they can do respite for you.) My DD can be watched by any otherwise responsbile adult who can lift her and does not have any nursing hours but I think a lot of kids in her situation do have nursing hours. Also, ask if the child has seizures, how often and what they look like and how long do they last. All of these things greatly affect our ability to obtain substitute care for her.