Some research indicates that adoptions involving children with special needs are more problematic.
Child welfare agencies charged with placing special needs children acknowledge the extra challenge that adoptive parents face by providing subsidies or special post-adoptive services. As a lawyer involved in placing special needs children, you need to develop strategies to increase the likelihood of successful adoptions. Understanding existing research on the characteristics of adoptions most likely to be disrupted, and on what it takes for special needs adoptions to succeed can help you with this task. Adoption Disruption Adoption disruption occurs when the child is permanently returned from an adoption placement before the legal adoption is finalized. Finalizing an adoption takes up to 12 months following placement, sometimes longer.