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Intercountry adoptive parent education

• Module 1 - Introduction
  • What is adoption?
  • Who is involved in the adoption process?
  • The adoption process
  • Adoption Services Queensland
  • Suggested reading
• Module 2 - The needs of overseas children requiring permanent adoptive placements in Queensland
  • Overseas country information
  • Are you suited to intercountry adoption?
  • Motivation to adopt
  • Issues and challenges faced by adoptive parents
  • Placement proposals
  • Building resilience with your adopted child
  • Suggested reading
• Module 3 - Child development
  • Understanding child development
  • Factors that impact on child development
  • A child's understanding of adoption
  • Suggested reading
• Module 4 - Attachment and bonding
  • Attachment theory
  • What is attachment and bonding?
  • Types of attachment
  • Attachment behaviour
  • Signs of healthy attachment and bonding
  • Attachment disorder
  • Impact of attachment on adoptive parenting
  • The arousal-relaxation cycle
  • Developing an attachment with your child
  • Suggested reading
• Module 5 - Separation, grief and loss
  • Definition of loss and grief
  • The impact of loss on adoptive parents
  • The impact of loss on adopted children
  • Effects and strategies for dealing with a child's loss
  • Understanding the impact of loss on an adopted child
  • The impact of loss on birth parents
  • The grief process
  • Suggested reading
• Module 6 - Identity and culture
  • Your feelings about ethnic background and culture
  • The impact of adoption on your family
  • Definition of ethnicity, culture and identity
  • Addressing cultural identity
  • The cultural heritage plan
  • Barriers to developing a child's cultural identity
  • A child's racial awareness
  • Stages of development of racial identity
  • Combating racism
  • Telling your child they are adopted
  • The adoptive family life cycle
  • Suggested reading
• Module 7 - Preparing for assessment
  • Departmental assessment considerations
  • Assessing a couple's suitability
  • Meeting the assessment criteria
  • The assessment process
  • Placement considerations
  • Assessors - their perspective
  • Establishing a family tree and Ecomap
  • Suggested reading
• Module 8 - Placement information
  • Medical assessment of children adopted from overseas
  • Lodging an application with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
  • Migration Health Check
  • Naming your child
  • Travel arrangements
  • Arrival in Australia
  • Queensland Birth Certificate
  • Australian Citizenship
  • Adoptive parent support groups
  • Life Story Book
  • Suggested reading
• Module 9 - General reading
• Family profile
  • My family profile
• Printable version
• Contacts

Suggested reading

• References
• Suggested reading

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References

• Armstrong, S. (2000). Loss issues in adoption. Post Adoption Resource Centre, Benevolent Society.
• DuFour, V. (2006). 'Loss and grief' in J. MacLeod and S. Macrae, (Eds.), Adoption parenting: creating a toolbox, building connections. United States of America: EMK Press.

Suggested reading

• Armstrong, S. and Slaytor, P. (Eds.). (2001). The colour of difference: journey's in transracial adoption. Sydney: The Federation Press.
• Douglas, A. and Philpot, T. (Eds.). (2003). Adoption: changing families, changing times. Great Britain: The Cromwell Press.
• Holloway, S. (Ed). (2005). Family wanted: adoption stories. Great Britain: Granta Books.
• Horner, S. and Martindale, K. F. (2002). True stories that celebrate adoption: loved by choice. United States of America: Fleming H. Revell.
• May, P. (2005). Approaching fatherhood: a guide for adoptive dads and others. London: British Association of Adoption and Fostering.
• Robinson, E. B. (2000). Adoption and loss: the hidden grief. Australia: Clova Publications.

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Last updated

19 October 2007