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Developmental Assessment of the Internationally Adopted Child: Challenges and Rewards

Yale University, New Haven, USA, carol.weitzman{at}yale.edu

Each year approximately 17,000 children are adopted into the USA from a variety of countries around the globe. Most of these children have been reared in orphanages and have suffered varying degrees of emotional deprivation, substandard health care and nutrition, neglect, trauma and loss. Research suggests that length of institutionalization is the greatest predictor of the risk for developmental delay and mental health problems. Specialized clinics have been developed to evaluate the unique needs of the internationally adopted child. This article focuses on key elements and challenges of the developmental evaluation of the internationally adopted child including: (i) reviewing the pre-adoptive medical record and/or video, (ii) interviewing adoptive parents, and (iii) performing comprehensive assessments of newly arrived adoptees. A review of research findings is discussed and applying available and limited research to clinical assessments is considered.

Key Words: adoption • child development • developmental evaluation • deprivation • neglect

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 8, No. 3, 303-313 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/1359104503008003002


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