Abuse, Adoption, and Attention Deficit Disorder

Date

2012

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Notre Dame Legal Studies

Abstract

Description

This piece discusses how adoption is affected by abuse of disabled children, particularly those who suffer from Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children who have attention difficulties are more apt to be abused by their parents than are those who do not. Unfortunately, the problems that plague these children do not end when they are removed from their parents. They are more likely to be hard to place in permanent homes than children without disabilities, and may only leave foster care as they age out, or become emancipated. Further, even if they are adopted, the adoptions may be disrupted at a higher rate than those of children without such difficulties. Finally, even when the adoptions remain intact, the children may not turn out as well as adopted children without known problems.

Keywords

Attention deficit disorder, Child abuse, Effects -- Adverse childhood, Foster Care, Foster children, adoption

Citation

DOI