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Special Needs Adoption: An Ecological Systems Approach
Author(s) -
Schweiger Wendi K.,
O'Brien Marion
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
family relations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1741-3729
pISSN - 0197-6664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-3729.2005.00337.x
Subject(s) - ecological systems theory , social ecological model , legislation , welfare , ecological psychology , intervention (counseling) , special needs , psychology , ecology , developmental psychology , social psychology , economics , political science , psychiatry , law , market economy , biology
Abstract: Because of changes in legislation and policies regarding child welfare, increasing numbers of older children are being placed for adoption. Many of these children are defined as having “special needs” and include children who are at risk for physical, emotional, or behavioral problems. We use Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory as a framework to review the literature regarding child and family adjustment to adoption, with particular emphasis on special needs adoptions. We include recommendations for improvements in pre‐ and post‐adoption intervention services based on an ecological model.