New Jersey's 30th Annual "Let's Talk Adoption" Conference
will be held this year on a new date: October 1. 2011, from 8:30-4:00. It is held in Piscataway, at the Busch Campus Center of Rutgers University. The Keynote Address, "Commitment vs. Consumer Mentality: Dealing with Expectations in Adoption" will be given by Tito Del Pilar.
This is a wonderful annual event that brings together people in the adoption field, adoptees, adoptive parents, birthparents....it truly has something for everyone. It's a must attend, if you have any interest in learning and growing in this field.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Should Adoption Be a Reproductive Right?
More attention needs to be focused on the experience of birthmothers and families. Interesting article. Check it out and register a comment!
Should Adoption Be a Reproductive Right?
Monday, June 6, 2011
CHILDREN'S INSTITUTIONALIZATION LINKED TO GREATER INCIDENCE OF ADHD
Interesting article about ADHD and adopted children. The symptoms of this condition also have much to do with Sensory Integration issues. How to treat it is often a challenge. Any thought or comments?
CHILDREN'S INSTITUTIONALIZATION LINKED TO GREATER INCIDENCE OF ADHD
"Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms of Post-institutionalized Children in Middle Childhood," by Kristen Wiik, Michelle Loman, Mark Van Ryzin, Jeffrey Armstrong, Marilyn Essex, Seth Pollak, and Megan Gunnar, is in the January issue of the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (Volume 52, Issue 1). This study assessed child functioning in three groups of children, ages 8-11: ones adopted internationally from institutions, ones adopted internationally from foster care, and those living with their birth families. While adopted children had significantly more parent-reported externalizing and internalizing problems than their non-adopted peers, the differences between children coming from orphanages and those coming from foster care were primarily related to increased ADHD symptoms – 23% of post-institutionalized children met the clinical cutoff, as compared to 6% of those adopted from foster care and 3% of non-adopted children. To access an abstract, go to: http://bit.ly/dG4frX.
CHILDREN'S INSTITUTIONALIZATION LINKED TO GREATER INCIDENCE OF ADHD
"Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms of Post-institutionalized Children in Middle Childhood," by Kristen Wiik, Michelle Loman, Mark Van Ryzin, Jeffrey Armstrong, Marilyn Essex, Seth Pollak, and Megan Gunnar, is in the January issue of the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (Volume 52, Issue 1). This study assessed child functioning in three groups of children, ages 8-11: ones adopted internationally from institutions, ones adopted internationally from foster care, and those living with their birth families. While adopted children had significantly more parent-reported externalizing and internalizing problems than their non-adopted peers, the differences between children coming from orphanages and those coming from foster care were primarily related to increased ADHD symptoms – 23% of post-institutionalized children met the clinical cutoff, as compared to 6% of those adopted from foster care and 3% of non-adopted children. To access an abstract, go to: http://bit.ly/dG4frX.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt “Talk Very Openly” About Adoption With Their Kids - OK! Magazine - The First for Celebrity News
This is an interesting interview with the stars of Kung Fu Panda 2. I have not seen the film, but would be curious about what people think of the way they present adoption. Apparently, there are many different views of this portrayal. Do you think it's a good film to educate the public; do you think it's a good film for adopted children to see?Comments anyone?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Upcoming Workshop Dec. 5
Come join us at Adoption Support Associates on December 5th, 2010 for a workshop at our offices in West Orange, NJ. We will be discussing issues on the various characteristics, challenges, joys and woes common in adoptive families. We will offer support, information and comradery. Click on the link below for details and registration!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Here are some famous people touched by adoption!
I found this interesting list in a book entitled: "Guide to Adoption" put out by Adoption Together in Silver Spring, MD. I thought it was an inspiring and empowering list to share with everyone.
Adoptees:
Edward Albee, Playwright
John Audubon, Naturalist
Richard Carlson, Past Pres., Corp. for Public Broadcasting
Kitty and Peter Carruthers, Olympic Ice Skaters
Nat King Cole, Entertainer
Faith Daniels, TV News
Ted Danson, Actor
Melissa Gilbert, Actor
Scott Hamilton, Olympic Medal Skater
Steven Jobs, Founder, Apple Computer
Art Linkletter, TV Host
Charlotte Ann Lopez, Miss Teen USA, 1993
Greg Louganis, Olympic Diver
Sarah McLachlen, Singer
James Michener, Author
Tom Monaghan, Founder, Domino's Pizza
Dan O'Brien, Olympic Decatholon
Jim Palmer, Baltimore Orioles
Dave Thomas, Founder, Wendy's restaurants
Anthony Williams, Mayor, Washington, DC
Birth Parents:
Albert Einstein, Physicist
J.C. Watts, US Congressman
Robert Fulgham, Author
Joni Mitchell, Singer
Roseanne Barr, Entertainer
Pauline Collings, Actor
David Crosby, Musician
Adoptive Parents:
Julie Andrews, Singer Actress
Lloyd Bentson, Past Secretary of the Treasury
Art Buchwald, Humorist
Ben Nighthorse Campbell, US Senator, Colorado
Connie Chung and Maurie Povitch, TV News
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Actors
Jamie Lee Curtis, Author, Actor
Ted Danson, Actor
Joan Didion, Author
Patti LaBelle, Singer
Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
George Lucas, Film Producer
Willie Mays, NY & SF Giants, NY Mets
John McCain, US Senator Arizona
Rosie O'Donnell, TV Entertainer
Marie Osmond, Singer
Michelle Pfeiffer, Actor
Steven Spielberg, Producer
Barbara Walters, TV Journalist
Adoptees:
Edward Albee, Playwright
John Audubon, Naturalist
Richard Carlson, Past Pres., Corp. for Public Broadcasting
Kitty and Peter Carruthers, Olympic Ice Skaters
Nat King Cole, Entertainer
Faith Daniels, TV News
Ted Danson, Actor
Melissa Gilbert, Actor
Scott Hamilton, Olympic Medal Skater
Steven Jobs, Founder, Apple Computer
Art Linkletter, TV Host
Charlotte Ann Lopez, Miss Teen USA, 1993
Greg Louganis, Olympic Diver
Sarah McLachlen, Singer
James Michener, Author
Tom Monaghan, Founder, Domino's Pizza
Dan O'Brien, Olympic Decatholon
Jim Palmer, Baltimore Orioles
Dave Thomas, Founder, Wendy's restaurants
Anthony Williams, Mayor, Washington, DC
Birth Parents:
Albert Einstein, Physicist
J.C. Watts, US Congressman
Robert Fulgham, Author
Joni Mitchell, Singer
Roseanne Barr, Entertainer
Pauline Collings, Actor
David Crosby, Musician
Adoptive Parents:
Julie Andrews, Singer Actress
Lloyd Bentson, Past Secretary of the Treasury
Art Buchwald, Humorist
Ben Nighthorse Campbell, US Senator, Colorado
Connie Chung and Maurie Povitch, TV News
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Actors
Jamie Lee Curtis, Author, Actor
Ted Danson, Actor
Joan Didion, Author
Patti LaBelle, Singer
Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
George Lucas, Film Producer
Willie Mays, NY & SF Giants, NY Mets
John McCain, US Senator Arizona
Rosie O'Donnell, TV Entertainer
Marie Osmond, Singer
Michelle Pfeiffer, Actor
Steven Spielberg, Producer
Barbara Walters, TV Journalist
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Video: Children Full of Life
I recently viewed a YouTube video called Children Full of Life. It is a series of 5 clips about a teacher in a 4th grade classroom in Japan, who is able to teach compassion, in the way he runs his class. It is tuly breathtaking and inspiring. (Be sure to watch all 5) Here's the link:
Children Full of Life
I haven't seen the one on bullying, but it might be good too...
While it speaks to everyone, I am posting this here, because I feel it has so much relevance to the adoption community, in particular... This teacher is able to foster compassion, which is a component of belonging, attachment, bonding, isn't it? If we can grasp what he is doing with this class, we can apply it to families. He takes a group of children who are not yet a cohesive group, and turns them into a "family" with a sense of responsiblity to each other, a demand for kindness, support and respect and yes...love. He teaches them how to put words to their feelings, to express them, and in so doing, they experience being "known." In the process, they must learn to listen and understand what they hear. Not something we all do so easily, nor so often. But isn't that a requirement to truly be in a relationship?! Just wonderful to watch. What do YOU think?
Children Full of Life
I haven't seen the one on bullying, but it might be good too...
While it speaks to everyone, I am posting this here, because I feel it has so much relevance to the adoption community, in particular... This teacher is able to foster compassion, which is a component of belonging, attachment, bonding, isn't it? If we can grasp what he is doing with this class, we can apply it to families. He takes a group of children who are not yet a cohesive group, and turns them into a "family" with a sense of responsiblity to each other, a demand for kindness, support and respect and yes...love. He teaches them how to put words to their feelings, to express them, and in so doing, they experience being "known." In the process, they must learn to listen and understand what they hear. Not something we all do so easily, nor so often. But isn't that a requirement to truly be in a relationship?! Just wonderful to watch. What do YOU think?
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