Helping Adopted Children Cope With Grief and Loss

Adoption involves loss. Resources in this section can help families understand and help their adopted children deal with the loss and grief associated with adoption.

Children and Adoption: The School Age Years (6–11) (PDF - 811 KB)
Singer (2016)
Center for Adoption Support and Education
Describes grief as a normal adaptive response in school-age children processing adoption.

Helping Foster and Adoptive Families Cope With Trauma (PDF - 3,666 KB)
American Academy of Pediatrics (2013)
Presents a guide for pediatricians to help them identify traumatized children, educate families about the manifestation of early childhood trauma, and empower parents.

Impact of Adoption on Adopted Persons
Series Title Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
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Download (PDF - 369KB)
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Ordene (Gratis)
Year Published 2013
Discusses the impact of adoption on adopted persons who have reached adulthood. There are several themes that emerge from personal accounts and data from academic studies about issues that adopted persons may face. This factsheet addresses these themes, which include loss, the development of identity and self-esteem, interest in genetic information, and managing adoption issues.
Selecting and Working With a Therapist Skilled in Adoption
Series Title Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 251KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published 2012
Provides members of adoptive families with information on the varieties of therapeutic approaches and professional therapists, recommendations for choosing and working with a therapist, and online resources for postadoption support and national organizations.

Understanding Ambiguous Loss (PDF - 61 KB)
Minnesota Adopt (2009)
Defines ambiguous loss and its intersection with trauma and attachment disorders. This resource examines the reasons why children may experience unresolved grief following adoption and suggests ways that parents can help children throughout their processing.