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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.
• Brodzinsky, M. and Schechter, D. (Ed). (1990). The psychology of adoption. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Brodzinsky, D. M., Schechter, M. D. and Marantz, R. (1992). Being adopted: the lifelong search for self. United States of America: Anchor Books.
• Clapton, G. (2001). Birth fathers' lives after adoption. Adoption and Fostering, vol. 25, iss. 4, 50-59.
• Cudmore, L. (2005). Becoming parents in the context of loss. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, vol. 20, iss. 3, 299-308.
• Dorow, S. (Ed). (1999). I wish for you a beautiful life: letters from the korean birth mothers of Ae Ran won to their children. United States of America: Yeong and Yeong Book Company.
• Fahlberg, V. (1994). A child's journey through placement. London: British Association for Adoption and Fostering.
• Freeark, K., Rosenberg, E. B., Bornstein, J., Jozefowicz-Simbeni, D., Linkevich, M. and Lohnes, K. (2005). Gender differences and dynamics shaping the adoption life cycle: review of the literature and recommendations. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, vol. 75, iss. 1, 86-101.
• Fursland, E. (2002). Preparing to adopt: a training pack for preparation groups. London: British Association for Adoption and Fostering.
• Gulden, H. and Bartels-Rabb, L. M. (2000). Real parents, real children: parenting the adopted child. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.
• Harris, P. (Ed.) (2006). In search of belonging: reflections by transracially adopted people. London: British Association of Adoption and Fostering.
• Kaplan, S. (1990). Lifelong issues on adoption. Working together in the 1990's: proceedings of the fourth Australian conference on adoption.
• Leon, I. G. (2002). Adoption losses: naturally occurring or socially constructed? Child Development, vol. 73, iss. 2, 652-663.
• MacLeod, J. and Macrae, S. (Eds.). (2006). Adoption parenting: creating a toolbox, building connections. United States of America: EMK Press.
• Reich, D. (1990). The adoption triangle. London: British Association of Adoption and Fostering.
• Robinson, E. B. (2000). Adoption and loss: the hidden grief. Australia: Clova Publications.
• Schooler, J. E. (1993). Realistic advice for building a health adoptive family: the whole life adoption book. United States of America: Pinon Press.
• Smit, E. M. (2002). Adopted children: core issues and unique challenges. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, vol. 15, iss. 4, 143-151.

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Suggested reading

• Coles, G. (2004). Ever after: fathers and the impact of adoption. South Australia: Clova Publications.
• Cudmore, L. (2005). Becoming parents in the context of loss. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, vol. 20, iss. 3, 299-308.
• Gulden, H. and Bartels-Rabb, L. M. (2000). Real parents, real children: parenting the adopted child. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.
• Harris, P. (Ed.) (2006). In search of belonging: reflections by transracially adopted people. London: British Association of Adoption and Fostering.
• Robinson, E. B. (2000). Adoption and loss: the hidden grief. Australia: Clova Publications.
• Smit, E. M. (2002). Adopted children: core issues and unique challenges. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, vol. 15, iss. 4, 143-151.

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Last updated

19 October 2007