British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been asked to review a two-year-old adoption case that involves claims that a seven-year-old girl's psychological well-being is at risk if she stays with her biological parents. The parents have appealed the case and attempted to block their daughter's adoption.

According to the BBC, "Wealden MP Charles Hendry said there was no suggestion the girl's well-being was at threat at her Halisham home, and asked for a meeting with Mr. Brown. The prime minister said either he or a minister would meet the MP."

The girl was placed in foster care in 2007, when her home was determined to be in "chaotic and unsanitary conditions." Alison Ball QC, who represents the girl's mother, told the BBC that the conditions were not typical and that the girl had been happy at home.

A date for the prime minister's meeting has not been set.

Labels: court, mental_health

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A recent study conducted through the University of Minnesota has found that adopted children are more likely to be diagnosed with a behavioral disorder or have contact with mental health professionals than non-adopted children. The results were compiled after researchers assessed over 600 adopted children and 540 who were not adopted.

"Children who had been adopted scored higher than non-adoptees on continuous measures of behavioral and emotional problems, the team found. Adoptees were about twice as likely to have had contact with a mental health professional and of having a disruptive behavior disorder..."

The study's lead author, Margaret Keyes, was quick to say that this information shouldn't deter people from adopting. It is instead meant to make adoptive-parents aware of potential problems so they can be looking for signs and preparing to handle any of these issues, should they arise. Source: MedicineNet.

Mount Bachelor Academy, a therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens, has a specific curriculum for adopted teens. Learn more at www.mtba.com.

Labels: adoptees, mental_health, troubled_children

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A court in New York has determined that an adoption agency that withheld medical information could be liable for the medical expenses incurred by the adoptive couple as a result of the misinformation. Louse Wise Services, Inc., which is no longer in business, failed to disclose to Arthur and Barbara Ross that parents of the baby they were about to adopt had suffered from serious mental health problems.

"... problems including schizophrenia, for which the son was later diagnosed, according to court records. The New York City couple said that dealing with the behavior without knowing the diagnosis led to the end of their marriage, their careers and to clinical depression for both of them."

At the time of the adoption, the 1960's, mental health issues were believed to be environmental, not inherited. A representative from the adoption agency says that's why the baby's medical history was never fully disclosed. Read more at NewsDay.com.

Teenagers experiencing emotional and/or behavioral issues due to adoption and just being a teenager can benefit from a specialty boarding school like Mount Bachelor Academy. Mount Bachelor offers counseling and therapy to mend relationships between teens and families.

Labels: adoptive_parents, mental_health, disclosure

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When parenting teens or any child with emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues, parents tend to look at what needs to be fixed. "My child is unable to self regulate so maybe she needs therapy..." Or, "My teen has anger management issues and needs to work through that." Or, "Now that my son has been diagnosed as bipolar, where will we find a child psychiatrist?"

Sometimes parents, teachers, and even service providers forget that the ultimate goal is to develop socially well adjusted and emotionally stable kids. Occasionally, it's beneficial to step back from the process of improving behaviors and fixing the problems, to contemplating the hoped-for results.

What's on your list of what a well-adjusted child or teen should be like? Are they attached to parents and family? Do they have solid friendships? Do they stay in school? Will they find a job they love?

A new perspective will not change the difficulties, but it does provide an opportunity to refocus on the hopeful positive outcomes, rather than the drudgery of addressing challenging issues.

Labels: health, mental_health

Posted By: Staff Writer 1 Comment