Older Child Adoption

Depending on what country prospective parents live in, the adoption options are often diverse. Domestic or international. Foster-adopt or adopt. Public agency or private agency. Open or closed adoption. Each choice provides advantages and challenges.

Parents who adopt internationally, may face issues and behaviors not seen in biological children, or in children adopted domestically. Many children living in orphanages develop what are called post institutionalized (PI) issues and behaviors.

Doctors in America, Canada, Australia, and other western developed countries are often unfamiliar with post institutionalized issues. In America, for example, orphanages were eliminated nearly 30 years ago, so the doctors familiar with PI issues have generally been in practice for a long time.

PI behaviors are caused from lack of stimulation, little affection, very structured days, limited movement, few choices, not being taught proper emotional outlets, and more. Institutions– orphanages, are preferable to living with an abusive or neglectful family. However, they are not conducive to providing children with the support, and nurturing that comes from living in a caring, loving, knowledgeable family environment.

Listed below are behaviors associated with PI children. Some children have almost none of these; other children have quite a number of them. If you’re considering, or have adopted from an orphanage, be aware of these potential behaviors. Some of them are overcome by time and minimal interventions by parents. Others require assistance from professionals.

Rocking. Repetitive rocking back and forth when agitated, nervous, or tired.

Head banging. Banging their head on the floor or wall when frustrated, irritated, or angry.

Poor transitions. Inability to change from one activity to another.

Not asking for help. Proceeding with a frustrating activity without asking a parent or adult to help.

Trouble going to sleep. Difficulty falling asleep. Difficulty staying asleep. Nightmares and uneasy sleep patterns.

Easily over-stimulated. Agitated and/or overwhelmed by any activity outside the daily routine.

Poor cause and effect thinking. Developmentally behind peers in understanding that certain behaviors and actions incur consequences, natural and/or logical.

Overly-cute. Attention-seeking behaviors to gain attention of adults and peers.

Overly affectionate. Asking for attention, hugs, food, attention, and kisses from strangers.

Poor language skills. Language skills are often behind their peers, even when accounting for the time it takes to acquire their second language.

Not toilet trained. Orphanage children are not taught to pay attention to their bodies needs and signals, but are seated on the toilet at regular intervals.

Sensory integration disorder. Overly sensitive to sounds, smells, textures, movement.

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD). Inability to trust and attach. Manipulative, controlling, sometimes violent behaviors.

No pain. Upon falling, bumping, or tripping, they show no indication of pain: no tears.