As the parent of an adopted child, you're already aware that adoption itself is just the beginning of the story: after adoption, your adopted child (and your whole family) is faced with a myriad of needs, questions and concerns – and while many of them may be addressed within the first days, months and years of adoption, many other issues may not arise until your adopted child reaches adolescence. Post-adoption support in the form of emotional or behavioral counseling, individual or family therapy, for instance, along with mentoring or guidance from specialized camps, programs and even schools, can help you and your teen work through the issues that often emerge during an adopted child's adolescence.

Even the most well-adjusted adopted teen may begin to struggle with questions of identity and feelings of rejection and abandonment as he/she journeys through the rite of passage between adolescence and adulthood. Like any other teen, your child may begin to question your authority, beliefs and ideas and even to pull away from close-knit relationships. While most of this "typical teen" behavior is normal, more severe or dramatic instances of withdrawal, dwindling academic performance or risky behavior may be indicative of more significant problems – and may well be evidence of your child's latent concerns about being adopted -- especially feelings of loss, sadness or profound grief and the desire to locate or "reconnect with" a birth parent or parents. What's more, adopted children tend to be statistically more likely to suffer from some type of behavioral, learning or emotional disorder, making them all the more susceptible to the physical and psychological ups and down's of adolescence.

Fortunately, a variety of resources and services exist to provide you with the support you and your adopted teen may need – regardless of how long your adopted teen has been a member of your family. If you notice that your teen seems to be noticeably withdrawing from previously close relationships with other family members (including you) or from long-standing social or peer groups, or if your teen starts to exhibit signs of significant depression, it's advisable to seek the guidance of a mental health professional with experience handling adoption issues.

If your adopted teen's particular struggles appear more profound or far-reaching – including frequent behavioral problems or academic issues at school, for example – you might also consider enrolling your child in a specialized program or summer camp for adopted teens. And if your teen needs more constant or consistent support, you might even consider a school especially equipped to support teens experiencing particular behavioral issues associated with adoption.

As a parent, you may also find yourself struggling with a variety of new feelings triggered by your adopted teen's struggle, especially if he/she begins to express a desire to locate his/her birth parents. Again, counselors and therapists professionally specializing in adoption issues can provide you with a strong personal resource to help you maintain a positive, supportive and communicative relationship with your child during his/her adolescence.

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