Special Needs Education: Neurological Issues

When considering adopting a child with "Special Needs" it can be a bit intimidating and overwhelming. Not to mention very confusing! The average person just doesn't know what Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy is or the host of other medical conditions you'll begin to read as you look for your child.

Still there are some medical conditions we know (or think we know) all too well and thus we don't even consider a child who is listed as having it. One of these conditions being Cerebral Palsy or CP.

Along with cleft lip and palate and heart disease this is one of the most common medical conditions I see in waiting children from China.

I recently viewed this informative Webcast provided by CCAI Adoption Services.

In this video Dr. Timothy Bernard Director, Pediatric Stroke Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine gives a general overview of following neurological conditions:

Developmental Delay

Spina Bifida

Hydrocephalus

Cerebral Palsy

Brain Damage and Seizures

If you are considering adopting a child with one of these conditions I invite you to view this video. I found Dr. Bernard did an excellent job of explaining these conditions along with giving helpful tips on how adoptive parents can better look at a perspective child's file.

 When considering adopting a child with "Special Needs" the most important thing to do is pray. The Lord has a child already picked out for your family, but sometimes it takes time to find them.

Pray that the Lord would lead your research. There is a LOT of information out there on the internet, some positive and some negative, ask the Lord to guide you to the right websites, blog posts, doctors, and hospitals.

Pray the Lord will give you His heart for the children He has for you. Don't feel guilty like you need to do what you see others doing, do what He has given you to do. 

Pray for the Lord to give you His grace. Adopting a child with or without "Special Needs" can be scary. There are a lot of unknowns. But hold to His promises!

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

“(for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.

Deuteronomy 4:31

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Isaiah 41:13

Remember, you don't have to be perfect, because He is. 

So if you're feeling overwhelmed at what you're getting yourself into stop a moment. Take a deep breath, and remember the Lord loves you and is right here with you. And underneath all those sometimes frightening medical terms is a child. A child who needs you, not someone older or younger, not someone more experienced, not someone bolder and braver. They need you, because you have something to give them that only you can give.