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Adoption and School Issues
Factsheet for Families

Author(s):  Child Welfare Information Gateway

Year Published:  1993

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You are in section: Table of Contents 1 - How Adoption Impacts Children… 2 - Preschool/Kindergarten 3 - Elementary School 4 - Junior and Senior High School 5 - Specific Educational Concerns… 6 - Learning Lag, Learning Problem… 7 - Increasing Adoption Sensitivity …

7. Increasing the Adoption Sensitivity of School Personnel

There are several ways that you can work to increase the sensitivity of school personnel to adoption issues. Maybe you will not be able to accomplish all of these, but hopefully you can achieve some.

Encourage principals, counselors, and teachers to use positive adoption language. To use it, they have to know it. Photocopy the information sheet on page 8 of this factsheet and give it to as many school personnel as you can.

Donate a book about adoption to your school's library. If your child was adopted from another country, donate a book about the culture of that country. Round up other adoptive parents of children from other countries and have them do the same. Suggest other adoption-related titles for the school's librarian to include in the next order of new books. Bibliographies on books about adoption for children of different ages are available from Information Gateway and a number of other national adoption organizations. The National Adoption Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Adoptive Families of America in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the North American Council on Adoptable Children in St. Paul, Minnesota, are just a few organizations that can provide this kind of help.

Make a presentation about adoption to your child's class or to teachers at a faculty meeting, but think carefully about the messages you want to get across. Perhaps you will want to work in tandem with an experienced adoption worker from a local agency. If the principal wants to know why a presentation on adoption is relevant when only a few children in the school are adopted, point out the similarities between adoption issues and many other kinds of loss issues that children experience.

Provide school personnel with information about adoption conferences being held in your community that are open to the public. Or plan your own! Carol Dolber McMurray, a consultant in Richmond, Virginia (see "Resources" below), was able to develop a full-day workshop about adoption for a Virginia school system's staff development department that educated school personnel system-wide. She then developed a similar course for college students pursuing a degree in education. Imagine what an impact that is making!

Some schools already have support groups for children whose parents are divorced. Suggest the formation of a support group for adopted children and a person to facilitate it.

Volunteer for the family life education curriculum review committee. Make sure that positive adoption messages get into the curriculum.

The staff members at Information Gateway and other national adoption organizations are prepared to help you by disseminating information on adoption to your school system upon request. Feel free to use all of us to help educate your child's educators.

Written by Debra G. Smith, Child Welfare Information Gateway, 1993.

Using Positive Adoption Language

The words we choose say a lot about how we really think. Using positive adoption language (PAL) means choosing words that show respect for birthparents, adoptive parents, and adoptees. When we use PAL, we say that adoption is a valid way to form a family, just as birth is. Both are important, but one is not better than the other.

When Describing Family Relationships

Use terms such as:

"birthparent," "birthmother," and "birthfather" to describe the man and woman who conceived and gave birth to the child. All of us have birthparents, however, not all of us live in their custody.

"parent," "mother," "father," "mommy," "daddy," and "child" to describe the members of the adoptive family. It is not necessary to say "adopted child" or "adoptive parent" unless the situation specifically centers on adoption.

Avoid terms such as:

"real parent," "real mother," "real father," and "real family"—these terms imply that adoptive relationships are artificial and temporary.

"natural parent," "natural child," and "one of your own"—these terms imply that because they are not blood-related, the relationships in an adoptive family are not as strong or lasting as relationships by birth.

When Describing the Adoption Process

Use terms such as:

"make an adoption plan" or "choose adoption"—these terms acknowledge that the birthparents were responsible and in control of their decision.

"parent her child"—when a birthparent decides not to choose adoption.

Avoid terms such as:

"abandoned," "surrendered," "released," "relinquished," "gave up for adoption," "adopted out,"or "put up for adoption."

"keep her child"—this implies the child is a possession and ignores the responsibilities of parenting.

For more information on PAL, contact Adoptive Families of America, 2309 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, 612.535.4829 or 800.372.3300; or Patricia Irwin Johnston at Perspectives Press, P.O. Box 90318, Indianapolis, IN 46290-0318, 317.872.3055. Ms. Johnston also has a free article about programs that use "adopt" in the title (such as "adopt a whale" or "adopt a highway") called "Adopt-A-Confusion."

Resources

Consultants

The following individuals are adoption consultants and educators with expertise in the area of adoption and school issues.

Carol Dolber McMurray
1915 Floyd Ave.
Richmond, VA 23220
804.353.7607

Lois Melina
P.O. Box 9362
Moscow, ID 83843
208.882.1794

Linda Yellin
27600 Farmington Rd., Ste. 107
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
810.489.9570

Training Curriculum for Students

Building a Family Through Adoption

This curriculum for primary and secondary school students explains that adoption is another type of family arrangement in this society. Available from the Adoption Information Center of Wisconsin, 1212 S. 70th St., West Allis, WI 53214, 414.453.0403. Free to residents of Wisconsin; $5 for others.

Training Programs

Making Sense of Adoption at School

A discussion of adoption as it relates to school: adoption curricula, positive adoption language, classroom assignments, promoting adoption sensitivity, and a videotape of children talking about adoption. For information, contact Cindy Fleischer and Lisa Maynard, P.O. Box 178, Pittsford, NY 14534, 716.924.5295 or 716.586.9586.

Moses, Jesus, Superman and Me

This 20 to 30 minute presentation is designed for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. It helps them to understand and be more accepting of adoption as a method of family building. For information, contact Patricia Irwin Johnston, Perspectives Press, P.O. Box 90318, Indianapolis, IN 46290-0318, 317.872.3055.

Adoption Manuals for Parents and Educators

FAIR, an adoptive parent support group in Palo Alto, California, has published two adoption manuals entitled Adoption and the Schools. Written and edited by adoptive parents Lansing Wood and Nancy Ng, Volume I is called "Educating the Educators: A Resource Manual for Parents." Volume II is called "Understanding Adoption: A Guide for Educators." Order these by writing FAIR, P.O. Box 51436, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Price is $25.00 each, plus $5.00 for shipping whether you order one or both manuals.

"Adoption Education: A Multicultural/Family Curriculum" is a complete curriculum guide for Grades K-3 written for an audience of teachers, agencies, support groups, adoptive parents and adoption professionals. Available from the Illinois Committee for Adoption, 721 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312.655.7596. $110.00 includes shipping and handling within the continental U.S.

Audiovisual Materials

In the following listings, the name, address and telephone number of the organizations that distribute audiovisual materials about adoption and school issues are provided, followed by the titles of the materials and descriptive information about them.

Adopted Child

P.O. Box 9362
Moscow, ID 83843
208.882.1794
The Adopted Child in the Classroom (audiocassette, 90 minutes, 1990)
This tape is for adoptive parents to give to their children's teachers. It includes a detailed discussion of the needs of the adopted child in the classroom. Purchase price is $11.00.

Adoptive Families of America (AFA)

2309 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
612.535.4829 or 800.372.3300
(Note: Shipping and handling fees vary by amount of total order. For orders totaling $14.99 and under, add $3.50; for orders totaling $15.00–$24.99, add $5.00; for orders totaling $25.00–$39.00, add $6.00; for orders of $40.00 or more, add $9.00. Canadian and international orders should add $3.00 to these shipping fees.)

The Adopted Child at School

(audiocassette, 80 minutes, 1992)
This tape by Nancy Ng and Lansing Wood, adoptive parents in California, is from a workshop they gave at an AFA conference. It discusses how a child's developmental understanding of his/her adoption experience impacts his/her learning. It includes an emphasis on special education and special needs adoption. The order number is #2I-92; price is $8.00.

Adopted Children at School

(audiocassette, 80 minutes, 1991)
This tape by Barbara Moline, a Chicago-area adoptive parent and therapist, is from a workshop she gave at an AFA conference. It highlights common issues that confront adoptive families when they send their children to school. The order number is #6B-91; price is $8.00.

Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder in the Adoptive Family
(audiocassette, 80 minutes, 1991)
This tape by Dr. Susan Erbaugh, Chief of Psychology at Minneapolis Children's Medical Center and secretary of the AFA board, is from a workshop she gave at an AFA conference. It examines signs, symptoms, and helpful interventions for children with school, learning, and behavior problems. The order number is #4H-91; price is $8.00.

Children's Home Society of Minnesota

2230 Como Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
612.646.6393
Adoption Builds Families
(slides/tape, 15 minutes)
This is a slide presentation designed to give appropriate understanding to children 4–12 years old about how adoption builds families. It may be used with elementary school classes, religious schools, and family life education classes. Purchase price is $65.00; rental price is $20.00. Add $4.00 shipping and handling. Minnesota residents must add 6.5% sales tax.
Adoption Builds Families, Unit II
(multimedia)
This 10-activity unit subtitled "Decisions About Self and Family" is designed for high school students. It helps students develop decisionmaking skills and a clearer understanding of identity through examination of adoption as a method of building families. The kit contains a teacher's guide, a simulated adoption file, a filmstrip, a cassette program, and a book of student readings. The cost is $19.95. Minnesota residents must add 6.5% sales tax.
A New Life in America
(VHS, 10 minutes, 1991)
This video on Korean adoption explains how and why it works in the United States and what Korean-born children feel and experience as adopted persons. It provides an orientation to adoption as a lifelong experience which is helpful for prospective adoptive parents, their extended families, and young adopted persons and their classmates. Purchase price of $15.00 includes shipping and handling. Minnesota residents must add 6.5% sales tax.

Educational Development Center

55 Chapel St.
Newton, MA 02160
617.969.7100
Children With Special Needs Go to School
(filmstrip/tape, 10 minutes)
Children with special needs in an educational setting are depicted in this filmstrip. It provides a realistic picture of the many factors involved.

Hope Cottage Adoption Center

House of Tomorrow Productions
4209 McKinney Ave., Ste. 200
Dallas, TX 75205
214.526.8721, fax 214.528.7168
Talking With Your Child About Adoption
(VHS, 80 minutes; 1991)
This is a video seminar for adoptive parents led by Carol Demuth, C.S.W.-A.C.P., Director of Adoption Education and Support Services of Hope Cottage and an adopted person. She discusses a child's understanding of adoption at different ages, helpful terminology and advice on how to begin to talk about the subject, preparing a child for school, handling adoption outside the family, adoption rituals and celebrations, searching, and more. Cost is $19.95 (add $2.50 shipping and handling; Texas residents add 8.25% sales tax).

Lutheran Adoption Services/Post Adoption Resources

21700 Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 1490
Southfield, MI 48075-4901
810.423.2770
Adoption: What's It Really Like? Parents Speak Out: A Look at Adoptive Families as Years Go By
(VHS, 98 minutes, 1992)
This video presents a panel of adoptive parents of children of different ages discussing family treatment, school problems, and helpful hints for dealing with adoption and birth family issues. Price is $40.00.
Attention Deficit Disorder, Hyperactivity and Adoptive Families: Hope, Help and Support
(VHS, 113 minutes, 1992)
This video presents a panel consisting of adoptive parents, a school social worker, and a behavioral pediatrician discussing attention deficit disorder. They discuss assessment and treatment of the disorder, and provide helpful hints for parents, children, and professionals. Cost is $40.00.

The Media Guild

11722 Sorrento Valley Rd., Ste. E
San Diego, CA 92121
619.755.9191; 800.886.9191; fax 619.755.4931
American Eyes

(VHS, 30 minutes, 1991)
This videotape is about a Korean-born 16-year-old boy named John who was adopted by a Caucasian American family at the age of 10 months. John encounters racial prejudice at school, suffering blows to his self-esteem and cultural identity. The tape touches on a number of other topics, including America's pluralistic society, minority rights, contributions of multiethnic and multiracial groups, values, stereotyping, decisionmaking, and family relations. The price is $295.00.

National Child Welfare Resource Center for Adoption

16250 Northland Dr., Ste. 120
Southfield, MI 48075
810.443.7080, fax 443.7099
Attention Deficit Disorder
(VHS, 20 minutes, 1993)
This video developed by Dr. John Baugh, Board Certified Child Psychiatrist, explains how to identify children who are hyperactive and offers suggestions for helping hyperactive children. Purchase price is $35.00. Shipping and handling is $5.25.

Sunburst Communications

39 Washington Ave., Box 40
Pleasantville, NY 10570-9971
800.431.1934, fax 914.769.2109
Four Pregnant Teenagers: Four Different Decisions
(VHS or four filmstrips, 51 minutes, 1987)
Poignant, true-to-life vignettes dramatize the difficult decisions faced by unwed pregnant teenagers. These vignettes force students to weigh the emotional, ethical, and financial problems involved in the four options available to the pregnant teenager: adoption, marriage, single parenthood, and abortion. Vignette titles are: "Kim's Baby Was Adopted," "Joanne Kept Her Baby," "Adam and Leslie Got Married," and "Amanda Had an Abortion." Includes a teacher's guide. Purchase price is $199.00. Cost to rent is $75.00 per week. Add 6% shipping and handling and applicable sales tax in California, Arkansas, New York, Florida and Minnesota.

Bibliography

Adamec, Christine. "Explaining Adoption to Your Child." Child Welfare Information Gateway Factsheet.

Adamec, Christine, and William L. Pierce. "Teachers and Adopted Children," in The Encyclopedia of Adoption. New York: Facts on File, 1991.

Bordwell, Martha. "The Link Between Adoption and Learning Disabilities." OURS, September–October 1992.

Davidson, Wesley. "To Tell or Not to Tell." OURS, September–October 1992.

Dellisanti, Georgine. Teaching Children From Complex Backgrounds. Seattle, WA: Children's Home Society of Washington, 1994.

Edwards, Lynne and Sheelah Sodhi. Me and My Families: A Handbook on Adoption and Foster Care for School Professionals. Richmond, VA: Coordinators/2, Inc., 1992.

Eraker, Dianne Nordin. "Applying Childhood Growth Stages to Your School-Age Adopted Children." OURS, September–October 1988.

"Expert Advice on Learning Disabilities." OURS, September–October 1992.

Frank, Elaine. "Adoption and the Stages of Development: What Parents Can Expect at Different Ages." Child Welfare Information Gateway Factsheet. Rockville, MD: Cygnus Corporation, 1990.

Frank, Elaine et al. "After Adoption: The Need for Services." Child Welfare Information Gateway Factsheet. Rockville, MD: Cygnus Corporation, 1991.

Leof, Joan. "Adopting Children With Developmental Disabilities. Child Welfare Information Gateway Factsheet. Rockville, MD: Cygnus Corporation, 1989, revised 1993.

McMurray, Carol Dolber. "Eight Ways to Celebrate National Adoption Month at School." OURS, November–December 1992.

______________________. "Teaching the Teachers: Working with Schools on Adoption-Related Issues." OURS, September–October 1990.

Melina, Lois. "Adoptees May Be at Risk for Hyperactivity, but No One Knows Why." Adopted Child, January 1990.

____________. "Experts Know Little About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." Adopted Child, January 1990.

____________. "Guidelines Given for Classroom Presentations on Adoption." Adopted Child, April 1989.

____________. "Making a Family Tree Helpful for Adopted Child." F.A.C.E. Facts, September-October 1988, reprinted with permission fromAdopted Child.

____________. "New School a Challenge to Recent Adoptee." Adopted Child, August 1983.

____________. "Teachers Need To Be More Sensitive to Adoption Issues." Adopted Child, August 1990.

National Committee for Adoption. "Hyper Kids and Adoption: Related Issues?" National Adoption Reports, September–October 1988.

Roberts, Colleen Alexander. "Gifted Kids With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." OURS, September–October 1992.

Roehlkepartain, Eugene C. "Good News About Adopted Teenagers and School." OURS, September–October 1992.

Rosenthal, James A. and Groze, Victor K. Special Needs Adoption: A Study of Intact Families. New York: Praeger, 1992.

Russo, Pauline. "Adoption and the Classroom." Tuesday's Child, Ocean State Adoption Resource Exchange, Spring 1993.

Severson, Randolph W. A Letter to Adoptive Parents: On Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Dallas, TX: Hope Cottage Adoption Center, 1992.

Silber, Kathleen. "The Adopted Child and the School." AdoptNet, March–April 1990.

Tracy, Denise. "Schools as Adoption Advocates." F.A.C.E. Facts, December 1991– January 1992.

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You are in section: Table of Contents 1 - How Adoption Impacts Children… 2 - Preschool/Kindergarten 3 - Elementary School 4 - Junior and Senior High School 5 - Specific Educational Concerns… 6 - Learning Lag, Learning Problem… 7 - Increasing Adoption Sensitivity …

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Updated on October 9, 2009