Accessing Federal Adoption Subsidies After Legalization. Tim O’Hanlon. 1995. 66p. CWLA. This guide is designed to help adoptive families apply for adoption assistance after the legalization of their child’s adoption and to receive retroactive adoption assistance payments, regardless of the family’s state of residence. It provides a detailed description of the entire application process including how to establish eligibility. The book reviews the recent changes in federal policies that provide opportunities for adoptive families who are struggling to meet the medical and psychological needs of their children.

Adopting & Advocating for the Special-Needs Child: A Guide for Parents & Professionals. L Anne Babb & Rita Laws. 1997. 256p. Greenwood. It is not always easy to bridge the gap between the desire to help a waiting child and the reality of America’s special needs adoption system. Adopting and Advocating for the Special Needs Child is designed to be used by both adoptive parents and adoption professionals. It is divided into four sections: getting started; becoming family; realities; and for better or worse. It was written by two psychologists who are both adoption professionals, long-time support volunteers, child advocates, and mothers of a total of 21 children, 13 of them adopted children with special needs. Whether you’ve already adopted a special needs child or you just starting to consider it, you need this book. Booklist praises this book as completely frank and remarkably consistent.

Adopting Darrell: A Mother’s Faith Journey in Parenting a Profoundly Difficult Child. Carol V Weishampel, PhD. 2005. 132p. Hannibal Books. Carol Weishampel joyfully opens her heart and home to angelic-looking Darrell—a “shaken,” abused baby whose horrific injuries leave him blind and retarded. But adopting Darrell quickly becomes an hourly, uphill struggle, even for this seasoned mom and professional educator. This single parent and her other, subsequent adopted children literally are held hostage by Darrell’s violent temper tantrums and untrainable behavior. What difference can Weishampel possibly make in the life of this uncommunicative boy? What purpose do those such as Darrell have on earth? Weishampel’s poignant search to answer these and other profound questions leaves a helpful legacy of hope for anyone who has ever loved a special-needs or severely disabled child.

Adopting the Hurt Child: Hope for Families With Special-Needs Kids. Gregory Keck, PhD & Regina M Kupecky, LSW. 1995. 239p. Piñon Press. Few families wishing to adopt are able to bring home a happy and healthy infant, for most adoptions today involve emotionally wounded, older children. Presenting a comprehensive picture of all aspects of adoption, this is a beneficial guide that integrates social and psychological issues with other issues that interrupt adopted children’s normal development. Updated 1998 edition (pictured at laft) includes information on foreign adoption. See also: Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal & Grow (2002). About the Authors: Gregory C. Keck, Ph.D., is the founder of the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio as well as a psychologist and adoptive parent of two sons. He is coauthor of Parenting the Hurt Child and author of Parenting Adopted Adolescents. Regina M. Kupecky, L.S.W., is a therapist who treats children with attachment disorders at the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio. She has been named Adoption Worker of the Year by the Ohio Department of Human Services and is coauthor of Parenting the Hurt Child.

Adoption Subsidy: A Guide for Adoptive Parents. Tim O’Hanlon, PhD. 1998. 42p. Adoption subsidies provide financial assistance, medical coverage and support services to families adopting special needs children. These subsidy programs serve two related purposes: first, to increase adoptions by removing financial barriers for prospective parents and second, to help sustain adoptive families who experience unexpected needs that are not evident at the time of adoption. Adoption Subsidy covers both federal programs, including Title IV-E and SSI, and state programs. It gives detailed information on how to negotiate a subsidy agreement, appeal a decision, apply for retroactive payments after a final adoption decree, and respond to critics of subsidy programs. It also includes tables to use in calculating subsidy amounts.

Adoption Time Bomb. Mark Tyler. 2008. 80p. Xulon Press. The sound of far off sleigh bells drifted into her consciousness, and as Marne tried to remember where she was, she realized that a dark form was hovering above her. Marne struggled to scream as she saw the jagged edge of an unbent hanger as it descended toward her heart. Ken and Marne had been delighted to open their home to a beautiful baby boy in need of a loving family; little did they know that their adopted son had come with a hidden time bomb. Mark Tyler has known the heartbreaking loss of two members of his own family. Life with a child of severe behavior disorders was one of extreme challenges, but nothing could have prepared him for the way his own family story would tragically end. Study lessons of life from this grieving father; learn his most important truth and the family motto forged in pain that continues to give him strength to go on. Mark is hopeful that those who read this book will have a better understanding of hurting children and their families, providing a safe place where their fears are heard and their tears are understood.

After Abuse: Papers on Caring & Planning for a Child Who Has Been Sexually Abused. J Robson, ed. 1989. 40p. British Agencies for Adoption & Fostering (UK).

Against the Odds: Adopting Mentally Handicapped Children. Catherine MacAskill. 1985. 100p. British Agencies for Adoption & Fostering (UK).

Back-to-Front Boy, The: A True Story of Adopting a Boy With Attachment Disorder. Rebecca Wright. 2005. 136p. Covenanters Press (UK). This is a true story. Rebecca Wright and her partner, John, adopted a young child. It wasn’t until later that they discovered just how needy he was and how their love and commitment to him would change his life. The strength they show in going through the complex process of helping Sam, who has attachment disorder, to grow into a rounded human being, will be an inspiration to anyone caring for children with problems, behavioural or emotional. Their story is funny, sad, angry, grateful and relieved in turns—the emotional rollercoaster experienced by anyone dealing with child psychiatrists, educational psychologists, the state school system and social work departments. Rebecca understates the difficulties of a life totally focused on a very demanding child, bringing out instead the many positive rewards of life with Sam. The Back to Front Boy will inspire, challenge and comfort many about to adopt, considering adoption, or already parenting a difficult child. You are not alone. In their search for help and understanding, Rebecca, John and Sam have forged a family unit of incredible strength through the practice and discipline of love—the real thing.

Beautiful in His Time: A Disturbed Child Forces Her Adoptive Parents to Make a Crucial Choice. Sandra Vincent. 1989. 95p. Pacific Press Publishing Association.

Beloved Son: Born With HIV. Therese Muamini, Nadine Bitner & Barbara Bray (Translator). 1997. 192p. Trafalgar (UK).

Broken Cord, The. Michael Dorris. Foreword by Louise Erdrich. 1989. 300p. Harper & Row. When Michael Dorris, 26, single, working on his doctorate, and part Indian himself, applied to adopt an Indian child, his request was speedily granted. He knew that his new three-year-old son, Adam, was badly developmentally disabled; but he believed in the power of nurture and love. This is the heartrending story, full of compassion and rage, of how his son grew up mentally retarded, a victim of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome whom no amount of love could make whole. The volume includes a short account of his own life by the 20-year-old Adam, and a foreword by Dorris’s wife, the writer Louise Erdrich. The Broken Cord won a National Book Critics Circle Award in 1989. By the Same Author: Paper Trail.

Broken Hearts, Wounded Minds: The Psychological Functioning of Severely Traumatized & Behavior Problem Children. Elizabeth M. Randolph, MSN, PhD. 2002. 275p. Broken Hearts, Wounded Minds provides an exciting, new and comprehensive look at attachment disorder, including the latest research findings on the psychological functioning of severely traumatized children and the effectiveness of attachment therapy. This book is aimed primarily at professionals in this field, but also provides an invaluable resource for any parents dealing with their own children’s issues surrounding attachment disorder.

Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in deeply Troubled Children. Daniel A Hughes. 1998. 320p. Jason Aronson, Inc. Hearts are for loving. But hearts fractured by early neglect and abuse can’t love very well. Using a composite figure, Katie, a fragmented, tormented, isolated girl in foster care who is filled with terror, shame, rage, and despair, this book exposes the tragedy of the unattached child. It alternates Katie’s story with an analysis of the effects of her early life experiences. Building the Bonds of Attachment realistically portrays the experiences of poorly attached children and offers practical strategies for helping them overcome their difficulties.

Can’t You Sit Still?: Adoption & Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Randolph Severson. 70p. House of Tomorrow. Experts state that the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is four times greater among adopted children than in the general population. This book, written specifically for adoptive parents, offers eloquent but practical advice about ADHD. In addition to providing concrete, inventive advice about behavior management, medication, and diet, Can’t You Sit Still? provides a message of hope.

Challenge of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The: Overcoming Secondary Disabilities. Ann Streissguth, Jonathan Kanter & Mike Lowry, editors. 1997. 256p. University of Washington Press. This book commemorates 25 years of research on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE). It summarizes recent finding and recommendations from twenty-two experts in the fields of human services, education, and criminal justice. The Challenge of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome acknowledges the diverse and multifaceted needs of people with FAS/FAE across their lifespan. It is a valuable resource for both parents and professionals.

Challenging Child, The: Understanding, Raising, and Enjoying the Five ‘Difficult’ Types of Children. Stanley I Greenspan & Jacqueline Salmon. 1996. 317p. Perseus Press. Described by Publisher’s Weekly as “a rope with a life preserver at the end,” The Challenging Child offers calm, reassuring advice to parents. In a profoundly optimistic book, the author of Playground Politics and First Feelings reassures parents that they do not simply have to “live with” a child’s fixed temperament. By adjusting their reactions to the “diffcult” child’s behavior, parents can help turn differences into assets and deal triumphantly with each new challenge. Identifying five “difficult” child personality types—sensitive, withdrawn, defiant, inattentive, and active/aggressive—the guide explains development from the child’s perspective and offers strategies on how to make such differences positive. Stanley I. Greenspan is a practicing child psychiatrist and helps parents dealing with all types of difficult children. He reveals the parenting patterns to avoid and helps adults tailor their approach to a child’s particular needs.

Children With Prenatal Alcohol &/or Other Drug Exposure: Weighing the Risks of Adoption. Susan B. Edelstein, Susan B. Edelsein & Judy Howard. 1996. 105p. CWLA. Just as the decision to adopt should be made with thought and care--after considerable reflection, discussion, and gathering of information--the decision to adopt a child with prenatal drug exposure involves added challenges. Designed primarily for professionals, this book offers practical suggestions, recommendations, and food for thought for preparing, counseling, and working with prospective adoptive parents who are considering adopting an infant or child who has been prenatally exposed to alcohol and/or other drugs.

Children Who Lose Their Parents to HIV/AIDS: Agency Guidelines for Adoptive & Kinship Placement. Lisa Merkel-Holguin. 1996. CWLA. By the year 2000, it is estimated that between 72,000 and 125,000 children will have lost their mothers to AIDS. Learning how to respond to these children before the parent’s death--to decrease the numbers of children entering foster care and increase permanency--is the primary focus of this guide. These agency practice and policy guidelines describe and analyze programs designed to place children with adoptive and extended families before a parent’s death.

Children Who Shock & Surprise: A Guide to Attachment Disorders. Elizabeth Randolph. 1997. rev ed. 42p. Do you get confused reading complex, technical books about attachment disorder? Do you wish you could find a basic book that you could give to relatives, teachers, and doctors to help them understand the problem? Would you like to educate others on the difficulties you face when parenting your child with attachment disorder? Then ChildrenWho Shock and Surprise is for you. This book is designed to provide you with a brief, but complete, description of the causes and symptoms of attachment disorder, some useful parenting tactics, and the most effective treatment techniques.

Cline/Helding Adopted & Foster Child Assessment (CHAFCA). Foster W Cline, MD & Cathy Helding. 1999. 109p. CHAFCA was designed to be used by parents or caregivers as a preclinical assessment tool for identifying problems or predicting future ones in adopted or foster children. The subtests are easily administered and scored by nonprofessionals. CHAFCA is appropriate both pre-adoption and post-adoption, as long as the child has been in the current placement for at least 6 months. The twelve diagnostic subtests include such areas as attachment disorder, depression, substance abuse, sensory integration, and emotional health. CHAFCA is an essential tool for foster and adoptive families.

Connected Child, The. Karyn B Purvis & David R Cross, with Wendy Lyons Sunshine. 2007. 288p. McGraw-Hill. The adoption of a child is a joyous moment in the life of a family. There is nothing like opening up a world of opportunity for a kid who might otherwise have a difficult life. Some adoptions, though, present unique challenges. Welcoming these children into your family—and addressing their special needs—requires care, consideration, and compassion. This book addresses the unique challenges for adoptive parents of foreign-born children, a community that has grown 300 percent since 1992; as well as parents of children adopted from troubled backgrounds and with special mental or physical needs. Written by two research psychologists specializing in adoption and attachment, The Connected Child will help you: Make your child feel safe and secure in a new environment; Build bonds of affection and trust with your adopted child; Effectively deal with learning and behavioral disorders; Decide when you need help from a specialist; Discipline your child with love without making him feel threatened. About the Authors: Karyn B. Purvis, Ph.D., is a researcher at Texas Christian University’s Development Research Lab, and she is the director of TCU’s new Center for the Care of Children, which hosts the Adoption Project and its camp for special needs children. David R. Cross, Ph.D., is the director of the Development Research Lab at Texas Christian University and an associate professor in TCU’s psychology department.

Cry For Light, A: A Journey into Love. Janet Alston Jackson. 2005. 318p. Self Awareness Trainings. A Hollywood publicist seeking help for her emotionally-disturbed adopted son, finds herself on a challenging journey that leads her to a surprising destination--self- love. In A Cry for Light Janet Alston Jackson unveils Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), and shares the process of mindfulness to successfully heal her broken heart, move on with her life, and regain her detached son. Her profound and insightful journey provides inspiration and support from someone who has been there. It doesn’t matter if you’re a parent or not, reading this book and identifying RAD symptons in your relationships is for anyone who needs to learn an important rule in dealing with someone who is detached: take care of yourself, too. About the Author: Janet Alston Jackson has facilitated self awareness workshops to a variety of audiences since 1993. She has been a guest on numerous radio talk shows around the country, and has made appearances on KCET, public television. She was a publicist for CBS and ABC Television Networks for 17 years.

Damaged Angels: An Adoptive Mother’s Struggle to Understand the Tragic Toll of Alcohol in Pregnancy. Bonnie Buxton & Clarren Sterling, MD. 2004. 336p. Knopf Canada. Part heartfelt memoir, part practical guide, Damaged Angels recounts Bonnie Buxton’s struggles to raise an adopted daughter whom she didn’t realize was afflicted with fetal alcohol disorder. Her book also offers guidance to parents who have children with FASD. By the time Bonnie’s daughter Colette hit first grade, her parents were coping with her frequent stealing and lying, and the necessity of special education. At fourteen, she discovered drugs and sex; by eighteen, she was a crack addict living on the streets. After many frustrating years consulting numerous therapists, a TV news story gave Bonnie the answer she was looking for—and sent her on a quest for a diagnosis and help for Colette. Damaged Angels can aid and comfort all those affected by FASD—the most common cause of intellectual impairments in most industrialized nations—and reduce the number of babies born with this disorder in the future. The most important book on fetal alcohol disorder since Michael Dorris’s The Broken Cord, Damaged Angels is a book for every parent, practitioner, and teacher working with a child with FASD. Author Photo © 2004 Brian Philcox Photo

Dare to Love: The Art of Merging Science & Love Into Parenting Children with Difficult Behaviors. Heather T Forbes. 2009. 147p. Beyond Consequences Institute. Emerging science has helped us to understand children better from a neurological and behavioral standpoint. Yet, all the academic research coupled with the best diagnoses for children can still leave parents feeling completely powerless. In her book, Dare to Love, Heather Forbes, LCSW, describes in detail, through a series of questions and answers, how to merge science into everyday parenting. This book gives practical, effective, and loving solutions for any parent struggling with his or her child. It will leave you feeling empowered, hopeful, and excited to be a parent, again. About the Author: Heather T. Forbes, LCSW, is co-founder and owner of the Beyond Consequences Institute. Forbes has worked with nationally recognized attachment professionals in the field of trauma and attachment since 1999. She is an internationally published author on the topics of adoptive motherhood, raising children with difficult and severe behaviors, and self-development. Forbes lectures, consults, and coaches parents throughout the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., working to create peaceful, loving families. She is passionate about supporting families by bridging the gap between academic research and “when the rubber hits the road” parenting. Much of her experience and insight on understanding trauma, disruptive behaviors, and adoption-related issues comes from her direct mothering experience of her two adopted children.

Don’t Touch My Heart: Healing the Pain of the Unattached Child. Lynda Mansfield & Christopher Waldmann. 1994. 121p. Piñon Press.

Dream Child, The. Meghan Stewart. 2003.164p. iUniverse, Inc. How does one deal with that deep down, tragically destructive pain that comes when he does what he sincerely believes God would have him do, only to watch his world crumble? In this book I share about our experience of adopting a child and dealing with the deadly syndrome labeled “Reactive Attachment Disorder.” It is a simple label—but the consequences of this syndrome are far-reaching. We claim the promise that “All things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” Yet, there remains that question. Can His love truly redeem even this situation?

Eagle Doctor: Stories of Stephen, My Child With Special Needs. Chrissy L Nelson. Prologue by Hunter (Patch) Adams. 1999. 192p. Pangaea Press. Chrissy Nelson is an extraordinary person on many levels, but most of all for her dedication to a young boy whose life has been enriched by her commitment to helping him live every moment to its fullest. Stephen, in addition to having multiple medical disabilities since birth, has been deemed “terminal” by the medical profession for most of his life. His indomitable will to live—enriched by his persoanlly unique blend of Native American and Christian spirituality—has sustained him beyond any predictable expectation. Stephen’s desire to stay amongst the living and be part of the simple pleasures of life is an inspiration to all. Fully prepared for life—and death—they are truly two remarkable human beings. It has been my pleasure to work with them and count them as my friends. About the Author: Author Chrissy L. Nelson, a nurse for 25 years, is Stephen’s adoptive mother. They have shared a remarkable journey together since she brought Stephen home at age two. Eleven years later, they continue to instruct the lives of others. Chris understands the struggles of being a single, foster, adoptive, and special-needs mother and caregiver. She is an active voice for children and adults with disabilities, both in the hospital and at home—an expert advocate for human rights. She has experience pertaining to and teaches parental-medical ethics, creative foster parenting, minority rights, alternative nutrition, and community involvement. The recipient of numerous national and local community awards for her charitable work, her forthcoming works include a collection of public tributes to special-needs children and those who have helped them, as well as a series with interviews focusing on the needs, assets and difficulties of caregiving. Author’s Website: http://www.nelson-windwalker.com.

Fantastic Antone Succeeds!: Experiences in Educating Children With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Judith Kleinfeld & Siobhan Wescott, editors. 1993. 369p. University of Alaska Press. Stemming from a conference on educating children with FAS held in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1991, these articles provide families, teachers, and parents with practical advice, and personal stories. Three themes emerge: negative stereotypes of FAS are misleading; early intervention and care make a big difference; and educational strategies are being developed.

Finding Families for the Children: A Handbook to Assist the Child Welfare Worker in the Placement of Children with a Mental, Emotional, or Physical Handicap. Patricia Ryan Ferman & Bruce L Warren. Foreword by Ursula M Gallagher. 1974. 60p. Warren.

First Steps in Parenting the Child Who Hurts: Tiddlers & Toddlers. Caroline Archer & Adoption UK. 1999. 128p. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

For the Love of Rachel: A Father’s Story. David Lowenstein. 2007. 164p. Enalan Communications, Inc. For the Love of Rachel: A Father’s Story tells the story of David Loewenstein, Ph.D., and his wife as they sought to create the family they had longed for as youngsters. For the Love of Rachel tells how this young couple went through in vitro fertilization, of their child’s premature birth and extended hospital stay, and finally of traveling to China to adopt a sister. This book is intended for parents, families, and other interested persons who experience the problems associated with premature birth and special needs children. For the Love of Rachel includes a foreword written by Dr. Shahnaz Duara, Medical Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. Dr. Duara helped care for Rachel during her time in the NICU, and comments “Rachel’s story is humbling.” Dr. Naseef noted that “For the Love of Rachel is a memoir of extraordinary power—which resonates deeply.”

Fostering or Adopting the Troubled Child: A Guide for Parents & Professionals. Janet Clayton Glatz. 1998. 168p. Audenreed Press. (2007. 220p. Updated & Expanded Edition. Outskirts Press.). Are you considering inviting or have you already brought a troubled child to live in your home? If so, you need to learn about the issues of attachment, adjustment, and identity in order to help you successfully nurture a displaced child. From finding a child, to becoming familiar with common disorders and medications, to learning appropriate interventions for negative behaviors, Fostering or Adopting the Troubled Child gives you the information you need.

Handbook for Treatment of Attachment-Trauma Problems in Children. Beverly James. 1994. 290p. Lexington Books. To become a psychologically healthy human being, a child must have a relationship with an adult that is protective, nurturing, and that fosters development. Lacking this type of relationship can traumatize a child, resulting in serious attachment disorders. The Handbook for Treatment of Attachment-Trauma Problems in Children offers clinical suggestions for those who are charged with the critical task of instilling a deep sense of trust and security in children so they can begin to develop lasting normal relationships. Both professionals and parents will benefit greatly from reading this book.

Hard to Place: One Family’s Journey Through Adoption. Marion Goldstein. 2009. 260p. North Star Press of St Cloud, Inc. Hard to Place is a memoir about a family. Loss is the catalyst that sets all the action of the book in motion—but this is not a book about loss. It is a narrative that weaves together the lives of seven people—five original members of a family and the two “hard to place” adopted children who eventually became part of it. It braids together themes of risk, conflict, crisis, spirituality, transcendence, and the many manifestations of love. As the adopted boys move into adulthood, the whole family joins in their quest to uncover and confront painful secrets about the past. After an almost miraculous convergence of events, exciting as a mystery story, the family is almost torn apart by what is discovered. Weaving these strands together is the mother and narrator, whose personal odyssey of faith and doubt climaxes in conflicted emotions. The title Hard to Place reverberates within the many layers of this story about ordinary people, human experience, and the triumph of will over circumstance. About the Author: Marion Goldstein is a psychotherapist who lives in Montclair, NJ. She is a registered poetry therapist and an adjunct professor at Caldwell College, where she teaches a course on Poetry Therapy.

Healing Parents: Helping Wounded Children Learn to Trust & Love. Michael Orlans & Terry M Levy. 2006. 304p. CWLA. Nurturing and dependable relationships are the building blocks of healthy childhood development. Secure attachments are basic to every aspect of a child’s well-being—mind, brain, emotions, relationships, and morality. Wounded children—those who have experienced maltreatment, loss, and disrupted attachments—are often defiant, angry, biologically disorganized, and afraid to trust and love. They are extremely challenging to parent. Healing Parents gives parents and caregivers the information, skills, self-understanding, support, and hope they need to be therapeutic and healing parents. This book is a toolbox filled with practical ideas and strategies that will enable parents to understand their child, create healthy relationships, and help their child heal emotional wounds and improve behaviorally, socially, and morally.

Healing Power of the Family, The: An Illustratedtrated Overview of Life with the Disturbed Foster or Adopted Child. Richard Delaney. Illustrated by Terry McNerney. 1997 (2nd edition). 123p. Wood N Barnes. This revised edition of The Healing Power of the Family offers a non-technical, user-friendly approach to the understanding and treatment of disturbed foster and adopted children. It describes the most common behavioral and emotional problems observed in children who have been formerly mistreated, explaining their powerful negative impact on parents. It then provides specific examples of family-based interventions to cope with these behaviors.

Help for the Hopeless Child: A Guide for Families. Ronald S Federici. 1998. 180p. Second Edition. 2003. 200p. Dr Ronald S Federici and Associates. Designed specifically for families that have struggled for many years with an unmanageable child, this book focuses on innovative and aggressive assessment and treatment strategies for the most difficult child who has not responded to previous mental health interventions. Specialized sections of this book focus on dealing with the complexities of the internationally adopted child who has survived years of institutionalization. Clear and specific treatment strategies for all families are outlined in a very practical approach.

Holding the Hope: My Daughter’s Journey Through Reactive Attachment Disorder. Jennette Dougan. Hope Shining Brightly, LLC. Author’s follow-up to her previous book. By the Same Author: Hope Shining Brightly: My Experience with Legal Risk Adoption.

Hope for High-Risk & Rage-Filled Children: Reactive Attachment Disorder, Theory & Intrusive Therapy. Foster W Cline, MD. 1992. Evergreen. What therapeutic interventions are available for our most severely disturbed children? Hope for High-Risk and Rage-Filled Children (“The Big Green Book”) presents the concepts and practice of intrusive therapy—using, if necessary, “...physical or verbal provocative techniques...” The goal—bonding and attachment. This book is for anyone whose life is touched by angry and disturbed children.

Invisible Road, The: Parental Insight to Attachment Disorders. Janelle Peterson. 1995. 70p. The primary goal of this book is to share insights and provide guidance and support for parents trying to work through the myriad issues that children with attachment disorders encounter during their growth and maturation processes. The Invisible Road addresses many of the difficulties commonly experienced by families who adopt children with these problems. Written from the perspective of a parent, who is also a professional, this book gives user friendly, easily understood information that can be adapted by families for use with schools, family members, and others who are part of the child’s life.

Jonathon Letters, The: One Family’s Use of Support as They Took in, & Fell in Love with, a Troubled Child. Michael Trout. & Lori Thomas. 2005. 192p. The Infant-Parent Institute, Inc. The Jonathon Letters: One Family’s Use Of Support as They Took In, and Fell In Love With, a Troubled Child gathers together an exchange of letters over the first year of placement of a particularly troubled child with a foster/adoptive family in Virginia—between Lori Thomas, the foster/adoptive mother, and Michael Trout, Director of The Infant-Parent Institute in Illinois. Unbeknownst to the two parties, they were recording the story of the tortuously slow and unsteady opening up of the soul of a little boy. The family happened to have that rare combination of internal and external resources that seem necessary if it is to survive the screaming, the resistance to attachment, the “crazy lying,” the aggressiveness, the manipulations, and the rage that are often seen in children with Reactive Attachment Disorder. At the end of it all, the family made a decision to adopt, and the mother in Virginia and her supporter in Illinois saw that they had a record that might be of value other foster or adoptive parents who were fighting to stay the course, to keep themselves from disrupting yet another placement of a wounded child who was tearing them apart. There is nothing about the story told in "The Jonathon Letters" that suggests an easy treatment, or that offers clever strategies to restore trust to a child who has no reason to believe that accepting love could ever be safe.

Joy Comes in the Morning. Angela Tipton. 2007. 70p. iUniverse, Inc. This book chronicles the story of one family’s journey together in the realm of special needs adoption. It will give you a clear look into the lives of a family with love for children as well as the lives of the unique individuals who live life with disabilities. You will see the impact they have had on the author’s life as well as others. Their journey has been long and at times treacherous. This book walks you through the joys and perils of parenthood, adoption, and our individual search for faith. As the author introduces you to the special people in her family you will feel encouraged and will learn the important life lessons these unique individuals can teach you. Her prayer is that you will encounter God in an amazing way that will bring you to a stronger faith in your Heavenly Father. The reader will be encouraged, taught and drawn to a deeper faith and dependency on God. This family’s story is emotion provoking, challenging and life changing. About the Author: Angela Tipton is a loving wife and mother of six, five with disabilities. She and her family live near Hendersonville, NC. She loves reading, crocheting, and is a support person for parents who have children with disabilities. Angela is a teacher, therapists, and an awesome advocate for her family.

Limits of Hope, The: An Adoptive Mother’s Story. Ann K Loux. 1997. 280p. University of Virginia Press. Everyone admires families who adopt hard-to-place children; they are often praised as modern-day heroes. But like the tragic heroes of old, adoptive parents tumble from great heights if they expose fears or second thoughts, and they often confront scorn and blame if their children have problems. In a sensitive and sobering account, Ann Kimble Loux breaks this unwritten code of silence with the painful story of her family’s adoption of two abused sisters and the traumatic years that followed. In 1974, Loux and her husband, already the biological parents of three children, had no idea how their lives would change with the addition of young Margey and Dawn, ages three and four. In writing this book twenty years later, Loux is finally coming to terms with the distressing mixture of hope and disillusionment, of love, frustration, and overwhelming guilt that has characterized her relationships with her two daughters. Both young women have settled down in their mid-twenties, but their extended adolescences were a terrifying swirl of school delinquency and dropout, pregnancy, prostitution, and drug abuse. Margey has recently moved from prostitution and drug addiction to steady work and relationships. Although Dawn dropped out of high school and had two children before she was twenty-one, she and her husband have proved to be loving and reliable parents. The ending of Margey’s and Dawn’s stories are as indefinite as anyone’s, but both young women are much more at peace with themselves, and Loux has grown to respect and accept her daughters’ choices. In The Limits of Hope, Ann Kimble Loux conveys affectingly and disturbingly the social and individual human costs of child abuse and neglect, calling for reforms in the adoption process.

Love is a Start: The Real Challenges of Raising Children with Emotional Disorders. Donna Shilts. 1999. 328p. LookAgain Publishing. Love is a Start is an emotionally compelling true story about parenting children with neurological differences. Anyone who is raising or working with children with challenges will gather from this book valuable and timely information about the significance of the in-utero environment, the importance of sensory input for brain development, and the power of the parent-child relationship. About the Author: Donna Shilts is an occupational therapist and treatment specialist, currently working with children and families in the Pacific Northwest. She graduated from the school of Occupational Therapy at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon in 1987. In 1990 she adopted two little boys, ages four and five at the time. When she began keeping a journal documenting the childrens’ more difficult behaviors and filed away their drawings and school papers, she never imagined she would then present these materials in such a way that would of value to others.

Magic Castle, The: A Mother’s Harrowing True Story of Her Adoptive Son’s Multiple Personalities—And the Triumph of Healing. Carole Smith (Pseudonym). 1998. 288p. St Martin’s Press. An unforgettable true story of multiple personality, this book is shocking and ultimately triumphant. No one knew what was causing 10-year-old Alex’s spells of seemingly insane behavior—until his adoptive mother took on the challenge. This is her account of the discovery of eight of his “alters,”and the horrendous childhood experiences that brought them into being.

Maybe You Know My Kid: A Parent’s Guide to Identifying, Understanding & Helping Your Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Mary C Fowler. 1990. 222p. Carol Pub Group.

Me Other The. Diane M Goetz. 2003. 171p. Publish America. This is a remarkable true story. This author, a single woman, resigns from her nursing career and adopts a severely abused child with uncontrolled behaviors. She finalizes the complicated adoption. The child and mother adopt each other as it becomes a match made in hell. They learn in this process they need to change their response with each different behavior. Many things seem backwards as the mother pushes forward. Nothing is normal. She’s changing now too. Everything she’s ever learned is now all backwards to her. Thus the name of this book, Me Other The, which is The Other Me backwards. The behaviors are specific personalities that later are diagnosed as Disassociative Identity Disorder, and therapy begins. The story takes you up and down the mother-daughter roller coaster ride with inspirational twists and turns. Physical evidence proves court intervention and specialized counseling is a very important tool.

More Than Love: Adopting & Surviving Attachment Disorder Children. Sherril M Stone. 2001. 255p. iUniverse.com. Love is not always enough to prevent a failed adoption of Attachment Disorder children. More Than Love is a candid account of the many difficulties experienced by the adoptive parents of three Attachment Disorder adopted boys. It provides explicit accounts of the boys’ dangerous and deviant behaviors. It also describes the adoptive parents’ frustration at the system for not providing the help that was promised prior to the adoption. Author Sherril Stone spares no emotion or detail regarding the years of heartache and the endurance required in parenting the boys. Even a strong marriage and close family ties were stretched to the breaking point as they and other family members tried to undo the damage caused by the birth parents prior to the adoption. Even the strong love the adoptive parents felt for the boys and their determination to overcome the abusive background was not enough to save the family. Tragically, the adoptive parents finally had no choice but to let go of the boys in order to protect their family, friends, and society. More Than Love takes the reader through the depths and highs of emotion. The turmoil experienced by both of the adoptive parents as they searched for answers from therapists, psychologists, social workers, clergy, teachers, friends, and family is detailed. While outsiders only witnessed charming, sweet, and “good” boys, those close to them knew the extent of their manipulative behaviors. Unfortunately, Attachment Disorder children are experts at manipulation and often dupe others, even those professionals trained to detect such deceitfulness. The author closes with helpful information about Attachment Disorder, guidance on therapeutic services for Attachment Disorder children and their families, signs and symptoms of Attachment Disorder, and suggestions for handling numerous deviant and dangerous behaviors exhibited by children with attachment problems.

Next Steps in Parenting the Child Who Hurts: Tykes & Teens. Caroline Archer & Adoption UK. 1999. 224p. Jessica Kingsley Publishers (UK). This sensitive, practical handbook is designed to support adopted children and teenagers and their families. An adopted child may well have suffered abuse or neglect; he or she will have experienced separation, loss, and inconsistent parenting. This early trauma and upheaval is often expressed in emotional and behavioural problems, which are especially difficult for the child and his or her parents to cope with during the teenage years. Drawing on both firsthand experience and research, the author presents strategies to improve adopted children’s patterns of behaviour, in what to them is a hostile world. The situations covered include sleep problems; anger, agression and violence; lying and stealing; staying out late and running away; addictive behaviours and self harm; impulsiveness and risk taking; money issues; sex; suicide and compulsive eating disorders.

Photo by Tess Steinkolk

Nobody’s Children: Orphans of the HIV Epidemic. Steven F Dansky, CSW. 1997. 178p. Haworth Press. About the Author: Steven F. Dansky is a long-time political activist and writer who has been involved during the HIV pandemic for more than a decade. His clinical experience comes from diverse settings, ranging from a private psychotherapy practice to work with community-based organizations and hospitals as as a consultant. Mr. Dansky has lectured on AIDS throughout the country. He is also the author of Now Dare Everything: Tales of HIV-Related Psychotherapy (1994).

One Tattered Angel: A Touching True Story of the Power of Love. Blaine M Yorgason. 1998. 200p. Deseret Book Company. Charity Afton Yorgason was born without a brain. She had a brain stem, which operated her autonomic nervous system and allowed her lungs and heart to work. But, her foster parents were told, she would never use any of her senses, never experience joy or love, never feel pain or any other physical sensation. And then would most likely die before she was two years old. Blaine and Kathy’s response was simple: “If she needs a home, we’ll give happy to give it to her.”

Our FAScinating Journey: The Best We Can Be: Keys to Brain Potential Along the Path of Prenatal Brain Injury. Jodee Kulp. Foreword by Toni Hager, NDS. Epilogue by Liz Kulp. 2002. 320p. (2nd Edition. 2004.). Better Endings New Beginnings. Our FAScinating Journey will introduce readers to another winding path in working with prenatally exposed children. Jodee illuminates this path with lights that shine the hope of possibilities for these special kids. On your journey through these pages you will:
   • Discover creative approaches in reaching and loving children with attachment issues.
   • Understand how alcohol affects the growing brains of children.
   • Become familiar with brain terminology.
   • Uncover ideas to help a child nutritionally.
   • Wade through school and behavior issues with tears, laughter and strategies you may not have tried.
   • Meet professionals who have helped the Kulp family help Liz grow.
   • Loose yourself in a myriad of ideas within the appendix.
   • Smile as you get to know Liz, a very real teen who is determined to be the best she can be inspite of FASD.
Our FAScinating Journey: The Best We Can Be, Keys to Brain Potential Along the Path of Prenatal Brain Injury is written for families, professionals and the community. It’s goal is to open the door to possibilities for our citizens who have sustained brain injury due to toxins in the womb. While this is Liz Kulp’s story, our hope is to open doors for you and your child. We want to help your family become strong and united rather the divided and fall. We want to provide your child “a chance to grow!” About the Author: Jodee Kulp’s workshops, books, keynotes, and educational materials have been well received in a board base of communities. She has an international reputation as an expert in FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) to help families help their children with FASD and professionals understand more deeply the child, their needs and the family’s needs. Beyond her ability to speak and write about issues related to FASD, she has campaigned tirelessly to advocate for children born with FASD and for the families who care for them. By the Same Author: Families at Risk: A Guide to Understand and Protect Children and Care Givers Involved in Out-of-Home or Adoptive Care (1993).

Out-Of-Sync Child, The: Recognizing & Coping With Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Carol Stock Kranowitz; Foreword by Larry B Silver. 1998. 322p. Perigee. Do you know a child who plays too rough, is uncoordinated, hates being touched, is ultra-sensitive (or unusually insensitive) to noise or sensations of heat and cold? Many pediatricians and other experts are beginning to recognize a link between some of these apparently unrelated behavior patterns. Children with perfectly normal “far senses” (such as sight and hearing) may have, because of a poorly integrated nervous system, serious problems with their “near senses,” including touch, balance, and internal muscle sensation. It’s called Sensory Integration Dysfunction, or SI. The announcement of yet another new syndrome is bound to raise skeptical eyebrows—and with good reason. (How do we know which child really has SI, and which one just happens to share some of the same symptoms?) Author Carol Stock Kranowitz argues convincingly, however, that for some children SI is a real disorder, and that it is devastating partly because it so often looks like nothing so much as “being difficult.” And, whatever the scientific status of SI, Kranowitz carefully details many routines and remedies that will help children—and the parents of children—who exhibit the behaviors described. This book is a must-read for all doctors, pediatricians, and (perhaps especially) childcare workers. — Richard Farr

Out-Of-Sync Child Has Fun, The: Activities for Kids with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Carol Steel Kranowitz. Illustrated by TJ Wylie. 2003. 352p. Perigee Books. This companion volume to The Out-of-Sync Child (above) presents activities that parents of kids with Sensory Integration Dysfunction can do at home with their child to strengthen their child’s abilities-and have some fun together along the way. About the Author: Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A., a preschool teacher for over 25 years, has a special interest in children with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. She collaborated with leading SI authority Lynn A. Balzer-Martin, Ph.D., OTR, to develop an innovative program to screen young children for this disorder. Ms. Kranowitz writes and speaks regularly about the subject and is a consultant to schools wishing to provide SAFE activities for strengthening all children’s healthy neurological development.

Revised & Updated

Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal & Grow. Gregory Keck & Regina M Kupecky. 2002. 295p. Pinon Press. When a child is adopted, he can arrive with hurts from the past—pain that stunts his emotional growth, and your family’s life, too. At some point your parenting dreams can shatter, and raising a hurt child becomes more like a burden than a blessing. But don’t give up. With time, patience, informed parenting, and appropriate therapy, your adopted child can heal, grow, and develop beyond what seems possible now. From insights gathered through years of working with adopted kids who have experienced early trauma, Gregory C. Keck and Regina M. Kupecky explain how to manage a hurting child with loving wisdom and resolve, and how to preserve your stability while untangling their thorny hearts. “We hope that what we share will give you strength, courage, and commitment,” write the authors. “We hope you will tap into your own resources and creativity to become the parent you’ve always wanted to be.” If you’ve adopted a child, whatever the circumstances, you’ll find hope and healing on these pages––for you, your family, and especially your adopted child. By the Same Authors: Adopting the Hurt Child: Hope for Families With Special-Needs Kids (1998).

Parenting Traumatized Children: The Parents’ Book on Attachment Problems and Attachment Disorders. Elizabeth Randolph, PhD. 2005. 150p. RFR Publications. This book was written specifically with an audience of parents in mind. It uses language that is easy for parents to understand to describe what attachment is; what things can cause an attachment disruption for children; how an attachment disruption can result in both neurological and psychological problems, as well as mild to serious behavior problems for children; and provides an in-depth look at the parenting philosophies and techniques that are the most useful when parenting children who have experienced trauma during their early lives. It also discusses what other psychiatric disorders children may have when they’ve been severely traumatized, the various intensive therapies that are available for children who have serious attachment problems or AD, and how to find a properly qualified and well trained therapist to treat your children. In addition, the book discusses re-parenting techniques that can help children to learn healthier attachment behaviors, as well as a variety of adjunctive therapies that have been used over the years to try to stimulate brain development for traumatized children, many of whom have immaturity and damage in their brains. Many parents have found the book to be extremely useful, and a number of therapists have bought it so that they can share it with the parents that they’re trying to help to better understand what’s going on for their traumatized children. This book, by the highly acclaimed author of Children Who Shock and Surprise, is fast becoming quite popular with both Parents and clinicians with varying degrees of professional training. About the Author.

Raising Cain: Caring for Troubled Youngsters/Repairing Our Troubled System of Care. Richard J Delaney, PhD. 1997. 120p. Society challenges its foster and adoptive parents to raise children who have extraordinary emotional and behavioral problems, children marked by their past, children whose futures look grim unless they receive help. Raising Cain offers a tested format and intervention strategies to not only raise these children, but to raise them well. It challenges certain systemic failures that neglect the best interests of foster and adoptive children. It protests, confronts, and “raises Cain” about fundamental, but reparable, flaws in our present day system of care.

Reaching out to Children with FAS/FAE: A Handbook for Teachers, Counselors, & Parents Who Live & Work with Children Affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome & Fetal Alcohol Effects. Diane Davis. 1994. 192p. Center for Applied Research in Education. Reaching Out to Children With FAS/FAE is written specifically for those who parent, caretake, teach, or counsel children with fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects. The book includes an overview of what causes fetal alcohol syndrome, how it is diagnosed, and what characteristics are commonly seen in these children. It also offers many suggestions and hands-on techniques for establishing guidelines at home and school, reinforcing appropriate behaviors, dealing effectively with inappropriate behaviors, building self-esteem, diffusing anger outbursts, and teaching social skills and basic life skills. The book offers hope to adults who are searching for effective ways to guide and care for children with FAS/FAE. Much of the author’s information is based on interviews she has conducted with parents (both biological and adoptive/foster) of children with FAS/FAE, and her own experiences as a school counselor (grades K-12) and a child and family therapist.

Reasonable People: A Memoir of Autism & Adoption. Ralph James Savarese. 2007. 496p. Other Press. “Why would someone adopt a badly abused, nonspeaking, six-year-old from foster care?” So the author was asked at the outset of his adoption-as-a-first-resort adventure. Part love story, part political manifesto about “living with conviction in a cynical time,” the memoir traces the development of D.J., a boy written off as profoundly retarded and now, six years later, earning all As at a regular school. Neither a typical saga of autism nor simply a challenge to expert opinion, Reasonable People illuminates the belated emergence of a self in language. And it does so using DJ’s own words, expressed through the once discredited but now resurgent technique of facilitated communication. In this emotional page-turner, D.J. reconnects with the sister from whom he was separated, begins to type independently, and explores his experience of disability, poverty, abandonment, and sexual abuse. “Try to remember my life,” he says on his talking computer, and remember he does in the most extraordinarily perceptive and lyrical way. Asking difficult questions about the nature of family, the demise of social obligation, and the meaning of neurological difference, Savarese argues for a reasonable commitment to human possibility and caring. About the Author: Poet, essayist, translator, and scholar, Ralph James Savarese teaches American literature and creative writing at Grinnell College. He lives in Grinnell, IA.

Self-Awareness, Self-Selection & Success: A Parent Preparation Guidebook for Special Needs Adoptions. Wilfred Hamm, Thomas Morton, Laurie M Flynn, & Janet L Dinsmore, eds. 1985. North American Council on Adoptable Children.

Sexually Reactive Children in Adoption & Foster Care. Joan McNamara, ed. 1994. 147p. The selections in Sexually Reactive Children in Adoption and Foster Care concern the needs of children whose feelings and behaviors reflect their strong reactions after inappropriate sexual exposure. Two of the important concerns which have emerged are (1) the realization of how issues of abuse and attachment are complicated and intertwined for children moving from foster care into adoptive families, and (2) the need to effectively respond to children’s abuse-reactive behaviors, which may include maladaptive defenses such as dissociation and sexualized and/or sexually aggressive behaviors.

Son of My Soul: The Adoption of Christopher. Debra Shiveley Welch. 2007. 140p. Saga Books. In Son of My Soul, the reader experiences first-hand the sometimes joyous, sometimes heartbreaking journey of the adoption of one special-needs baby and the profound way that child has changed those around him. By the Same Author: A Very Special Child (2005). Related Title: Just Chris by Christopher Shiveley Welch (2008). Visit the Author’s website.

Taking Tamar: Bringing up a Child with Down Syndrome. Martha Lev-Zion. 2006. 208p. Avotaynu, Inc. In 1986, Martha Lev-Zion, a single woman in her 40s, heard about a TV documentary regarding 22 children with severe birth defects who had been abandoned by their birth parents in Israeli hospitals. Martha applied for one of those babies, but was told that of the 65 applications received, hers would be the last one considered. In the end, with only one baby remaining, Martha took into her care a 14-month-old girl with Down syndrome. This book relates the amazing journey of Martha’s life raising her daughter Tamar. Interwoven with her experiences fighting Israeli governmental authorities, school systems, the birth family, and even the U.S. government, is her commitment to bring up her daughter as normally as possible, and the incredible accomplishments her daughter was able to achieve. When she was 14 months old, Tamar was tested and found to have an IQ of between 45-60. Today she is a young woman of 21, living independently, with a job as an assistant secretary at a university. She still has some of the characteristics of a person with Down syndrome, but Martha’s commitment to maximize Tamar’s potential is something Martha feels any parent should do in rearing any child.

Things I Want Most, The. Richard F Miniter. 1998. 288p. Bantam Doubleday Dell Trade. Since his removal from an abusive home, 11-year-old Mike had been placed with a dozen foster families and institutions. Medication could not control his defiant, violent behavior. The overwhelming conclusion: nothing more could be done. Mike was labeled severely emotionally disturbed and a hopeless case by the children’s home in which he lived. When Richard and Sue Miniter, who’d raised six children of their own, read his file they found no indication that Mike even wanted help. Then, almost by accident, they came across a single sheet of blue paper labeled “The Things I Want Most.” Beneath that headline, written in a child’s sprawling, smudgy scrawl, were the words: “A Family, A Fishing Pole, A Family.” They decided to take him in. Portraying the unpredictability, frustration, and heartbreak of everyday life with a bright but uncontrollable child scarred by abuse, The Things I Want Most is the engaging and earnest story of the Miniters’ first year with Mike. Despite the broken windows, attention demands, temper tantrums, and even fires, Mike and his new family survived their difficult first year together. Sustained by prayer, imagination, and the love of other family members (not the least of whom was Mike himself), they managed to turn the challenges into changes. Drawing readers into the hearts and minds of the Miniter family, The Things I Want Most is a testament to the reserves of strength and love it took to convince Mike that it just might be possible to have what he wanted most—a loving family.

Think About Adopting or Foster Parenting Special Needs Children. Laura Adame Trickey & Bill Trickey. 1998. 45p. If you are considering adopting or fostering a special needs child, this self assessment questionnaire is an invaluable tool. The questions are divided into three broad categories: how we as a couple communicate; looking at myself and us as parents; and looking at some adoption and foster care realities. These questions have no right or wrong answer, only what is true for you and your family. With its emphasis on communication and honesty, Think About Adopting or Foster Parenting Special Needs Children will enable you to seriously evaluate this adoption option.

To Love a Child: A Reluctant Father Adopts a “Forgotten” Child. Ted Schwarz. 1995. 256p. New Horizon NJ. Born addicted to the stimulants and depressants that his murdered mother took while she was pregnant, Raheem was three and a half when he entered the Schwarz family. He was prone to temper tantrums and harbored traumatic memories of a short life filled with shattered hopes and battered dreams. Joyful and fearful about the future, Raheem and his new parents begin their journey toward becoming a family. Along the way, their family is joined by Raheem’s babysitter, Clifford, a lonely, battered teenager. To Love a Child is a book about adoption, children in crisis, families in crisis, and the true meaning of love.

Troubled Transplants: Strategies for Helping Disturbed Foster & Adopted Children. Richard Delaney & Frank Kustal. 1993. University of South Maine. This book presents practical—if unconventional—treatment strategies for addressing the puzzling and exhausting problems sometimes seen in foster and adopted children. These unique approaches can breathe life into children, soften their defenses, sidestep endless power struggles, and alter their distorted views. Troubled Transplants provides strategies and insights for the adoptive family dealing with children who are exhibiting behavior difficulties.

Ultimate Treasure Hunt, The. Adair Renning. 1995. 281p. Future Horizons. Asia Renning was adopted by Jerry and Adair Renning when she was two years old, even though she was considered too institutionalized to be able to bond with a family. Asia’s struggles with a condition which required a colostomy, as well as autism, has led her family on a quest to help her maximize her potential. In this book, Adair Renning details the family’s search for effective treatments, including mega-vitamins, auditory integration therapy, food and environmental allergy treatments and treatment for Leaky Gut Syndrome. This is one family’s story, but it represents a celebration of the strength of the human spirit, when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. About the Author: Born in North Carolina, Adair Renning met her Minnesota-born husband Jerry in the mountains of Colorado. After experiencing the joy of their first adoption, daughter Meghann, they decided to adopt a child with special needs. Asia is that child. The Rennings now live in Michigan where Meghann is a junior at Eastern Michigan University, Jerry a salesman for J. Mollema and Son, and Adair works for Web Elite,Inc., a web site development firm in Ann Arbor. Asia is a senior at Milan High School and a member of the track and cross-country teams.

Unlit Path, An: One Family’s Journey Toward the Light of Truth. Deborah L Hannah. 2006. 272p. Xulon Press. What happens when love is not enough? The answer lies in this true story of one family’s journey through the world of foster care and adoption within the United States. It is a personal account, encompassing both heartbreak and joy, while realistically embracing the intrinsic challenges of parenting the “hard to place” child. The long-term effects of neglect and abandonment, along with the issues of Reactive Attachment Disorder, sexual abuse, mental illness, and false allegations, are discussed in the context of the family’s four biological, five adopted and nine foster children. From a prospective parent’s standpoint, this book dispels unrealistic and idealized expectations, yet from a Christian standpoint, it offers spiritual insight into understanding, acceptance and finally, forgiveness. Creatively written, this is a story that needs to be told, for although tragic in nature, it raises the awareness of the reader to the inherent risks and rewards of adoption. About the Author: Deborah Hannah has spent more than a decade, along with husband Joe, fostering and adopting children within the United States. A graduate of Saint Louis University with a degree in child psychology and further a graduate of the Center for Biblical Counseling and member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, Deborah writes with authority on the emotional and spiritual needs of today’s hard to place children. Her years of experience working alongside the County Department of Human Services and the Family Court System, along with her membership in the Foster Parent Association, allows her the ability to share the inside experiences of foster and adoptive parents. Her experiences as a mother of four biological, five adopted, and nine foster children allows her a unique prospective on the heartbreaks of the children placed within the system, as well as on the tragedies of the families, in which they are placed.

Water Giver, The: The Story of a Mother, a Son, & Their Second Chance. Joan Ryan. 2009. 272p. Simon & Schuster. From Publishers Weekly: How does one raise children to be the best they can be, instead of the best of who you want them to be? Former San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Ryan (Little Girls in Pretty Boxes) wrestled with this question for most of her adopted son Ryan’s life, never quite feeling as if her mothering instincts fit the boy she loved. His early childhood diagnosis with sensory integration dysfunction gave her analytical side a roadmap of therapies and teaching tools, but the heartbreak of watching him struggle endlessly in school and at home left her emotionally exhausted and unsure of herself. Then their lives changed: after falling from his skateboard just blocks from their home at age 16, her son suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to walk or talk, requiring multiple complex surgeries and months of rehabilitation. Her story of supporting him through this experience, with expert medical teams and tremendous aid from family and friends, is a testament both to her stamina and to his strength. Given the perspective that sometimes only a crisis can bring, Ryan learns to forgive herself for the smaller struggles of her son’s earlier years, to take each day’s challenges as they come and to trust herself to be the only mother that he needs. — © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

We Adopted a Dusty Miller: One Family’s Journey with an Attachment Disorder Child. Phyllis K Bosley. Illustrated by Tamara Bosley. Foreword by Paula Vink-Cody. 2000. 108p. iUniverse.com. Easy-to-read, realistic story of family’s struggles and triumphs while searching for services for a sexually abused, alcohol exposed, attachment disorder, emotionally disturbed, adopted child. We Adopted a Dusty Miller is a spellbinding and unusually frank narration of the roller-coaster ride parents experience when they love a difficult child and are not successful in finding help. A strong marriage, a supportive family, a sense of humor, a persistent attitude, and the ability, finally, to let go of a heartbreaking situation combine to reveal a picture of the difficult journey many parents endure. Phyllis Bosley tells in rapid succession the experiences and feelings that are common to parents of children suffering from Reactive Attachment Disorder, and/or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect. The book describes the behavior usually present in children who are in need of therapeutic care. It provides an argument for the development of wrap-around services for these children and their families, demonstrating the need for community understanding and support. It offers a clear picture of the depth of disturbance that may be present in a child who, to outsiders, seems very charming. Having survived the experience with marriage intact, the Bosleys resolved to offer friendship and encouragement to other families traveling this difficult path in the hope that their daughter’s story will not be repeated.

When Love is Not Enough: How Mental Health Professionals Can Help Special-Needs Adoptive Families. Marian Sandmaier. 1988. 96p. CWLA.