I've recently finalized the adoption of my seven year old son. His birthfather is my cousin. His birthmother is the ex-wife. All rights were terminated and my little guy was placed with me instead of in the traditional foster care setting.

He has three sets of grandparents. I feel I have two sets of in-laws. He actually had six homes within six years. He's lived with cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and a stepmom and her kids...until he was placed with me in July with the understanding I'd be adopting him.

Along with the chaos of the first six years of his life, I'm thinking he was abused in multiple "types." I'm also finding signs of Sensory Integration Dysfuntion.

Is there anyone out there that has experience, resources, encouragement in this new realm of parenting and all the subsequent Special Needs my son and I are now facing?

DebraKay,
First, Congratulations! It sounds as though he has come home now to a wonderful mom.

Second, the parenting thing I can help with. The special needs unfortunately I can't but, I am certain other wonderful people here can help you. An extremely good counselor is a good place to start in my book. They will be a valuable source of info for you to understand what he has and is going through, and help him spend the remained of his life with a healthy outlook.

:welcome: Please join in and post away.

Carla,

Thanks for the encouragement! We are in counseling already and feel confident the therapist knows his stuff since he is also an adoptive parent of special needs children. However, he has a wife and he works with mostly couples and their kids. He frequently says, "You're doing this alone. Special needs parenting is hard enough with 2 parents." So, that makes me feel overwhelmed and proud at the same time.

I'm computer savy, but the internet for me has just been for ordering things and research. I'm new to the whole "chat-thing." From the few threads I've read so far, this seems like a supportive and friendly group!

You have a beautiful Daughter!! She has happiness and contentment in her eyes. Enjoy it!!

Deb

Deb,
thanks for the compliment about my daughter. She is a happy kid and I am enjoying it very much. Right now I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for her to call me. She is on a school trip for 4 days and I have not heard from her since 6 am this morning. She is not answering her cell phone.

Everyone here is friendly. I hope you continue to join in and let us know how you and your son are doing. I have been here for a little more than 2 years and I enjoy everyone. It has been a very valuable source of info, release and frinedship.

Good for you with the therapist. Most of them can be a valuable asset for you. Parenting a child with "normal" issue and two parents can be overwhelming but, somehow as single parents we find a way to make it all work because of our kids. Feel proud because you can do this and do a very good job. Just love him and continue to get the care he needs from the therapist to grow up happy and healthy.