Definitions, Use of Words, Abbreviations etc

Bonding & Attachment

These definitions are quoted from 'Talking to Young Children about Adoption' by Watkins & Fisher...

'Attachment' refers to the emotional connection developed over time between parent and child.

'Bonding' refers to a now widely challenged theory that there is a biologically determined period immediately after birth when mother and infant can form an intense attachment and that if they do not, the child's later behaviour can be powerfully affected.

Use of Words when discussing Parents

Most current literature on adoption suggests that certain words be used when discussing adoption, and that other words are avoided.

The following are some of the common suggestions when discussing parents ...

Use the words "birth parents" rather than "real parents" or "natural parents".

The reason being that to say children have "real parents" implies that their 'other parents' are "unreal".

Similarly, to say 'natural parents', implies that their 'other parents' are "unnatural".

Reference.

Use of Words when discussing Children

Most current literature on adoption suggests that certain words be used when discussing adoption, and that other words are avoided.

The following are some of the common suggestions when discussing children...

Use the words "biological children" rather than "real children" or "natural children" or "children of your/their own".

Reference

Use of Words when discussing cultural and ethnic backgrounds

Words like 'race', 'culture' and 'ethnicity' seem to be used interchangeably by many people, and although the definitions do cross over a bit, the words do refer to different things. An attempt at explaining is as follows...

Abbreviations

The following are some abbreviations often found when Australians are discussing adoption.

If you have additions or corrections please contact the website editor.

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Websites on Adoption

If there is a broken link or the following is incorrect or incomplete – please email Website Editor.

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Australian Intercountry Adoption Network

The Australian InterCountry Adoption Network (AICAN) is the national network of 17 Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) involved in intercountry adoption - Australian InterCountry Adoption Network

Australian Society of Intercountry Aid for Children

ASIAC NSW is a voluntary non-profit parent group. Its members are people who have adopted or are looking to adopt a child from an overseas country, and others who have a desire to support the aims of the Society - Australian Society of Intercountry Aid for Children

Australian Families for Children

Provides an adoption service to families in Australia wishing to adopt children from overseas countries in need of overseas adoptive families - Australian Families for Children.

Australians Caring for Children

Australians Caring for Children Inc is a voluntary, non-political and non-sectarian association formed in 1987 by a number of families who have adopted children from overseas, through the assistance of Australian Families for Children.

Australians Caring for Children Inc (ACC) is a non-profit association, whose main objectives are to provide support to adoptive families in Australia and to provide aid to orphaned and abandoned children in developing countries - Australians Caring for Children

International Adoption - Rainbow Kids

Rainbow Kids - is a monthly on-line International Adoption magazine.

If you click on Articles - there is a whole host of stories, advice, news etc.

A lot of the "how to adopt" information is specifically for American families.

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Adoption Research and Reports

• An excellent newsletter about adoption research from ADOC (Adoption Triangle Research Centre) in the Netherlands. The website has both Dutch and English versions (the link here is for the English version). The website includes the most recently published and unpublished adoption research - ADOC website.

• A report on Aboriginal children adopted into non-Aboriginal families... an Australian website.

• An Australian study on the experiences of adoptive parents when their children search for their birth-parents... an Australian website.

• Australian enquiry into Intercountry Adoption. Website.

• Australian Adoption statistics. Website.

• Research into Intercountry Adoption and Parent Support Groups. Website.

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Issues about Adoption

• Seven issues relevant to adoptees, adoptive parents and birth parents... an Australian website.

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• About adoptees, adopted through intercountry adoption... an Australian website.

• A general overview of many adoption issues... an Australian website.

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• 'Why does adoption happen', coming to terms with feelings about adoption... an Australian website.

• Article on mental health statistics comparing adopted and non-adopted persons... an American website.

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• A book review, about intimacy problems experienced by two adoptive siblings... website.

• Pros and cons of adoption ... website.

• Pros and cons of open-adoption (uses the American model for open adoption)... website.

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Websites on Attachment and Bonding

If there is a broken link or the following is incorrect or incomplete – please email me at Website Editor.

Bonding

• Welcome Home: A guide to bonding with your baby after adoption. Website.
• A look at many of the myths commonly stated about bonding. website.

Attachment

• Attachment information (Australian website). Website.
• Facilitating Attachment. Website.
• Increasing family attachment. Website.
• Attachment and Older Children. Website.
• About treating attachment disorder. Website.

Websites on Ethiopian/African Children

If there is a broken link or the following is incorrect or incomplete – please email me at Website Editor.

• An article about the number of children in Ethiopia who are orphaned and about the controversy of if these children should stay in Ethiopia or be adopted into families overseas.

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Websites on Older Child Adoption

If there is a broken link or the following is incorrect or incomplete – please email me at Website Editor.

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• Older Child Adoption is a website covering many of the important issues relevant to parents who are considering adopting older children, or who have already adopted older children. This is an American based website, but many of the issues discussed are relevant to adoptive families in any country - Older Child Adoption
  
  
• This article is about issues to do with learning a new language for older child adoptions. The article discusses the differences between children who arrive in a new country and need to learn a new language but retain their original language as they come with their birth parents who continue to speak this original language, compared to children who are adopted into a family where there is no or minimal use of the original language. website.

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Websites on Sibling Group Adoption

If there is a broken link or the following is incorrect or incomplete – please email me at Website Editor.

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• An article on keeping brothers and sisters together through sibling group adoption - Sibling Groups

Websites on Single Parent Adoption

If there is a broken link or the following is incorrect or incomplete – please email me at Website Editor.

• On overview of some of the issues involved in single parenting (not specifically adoptive parenting) - website.

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• Articles on single adoptive parenting - Single Parent Adoption.

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• Article on how to cope as a single adoptive parent website

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Breastfeeding

If there is a broken link or the following is incorrect or incomplete – please email me at Website Editor.

Breastfeeding of an adopted baby can be possible for some families, and there are links below to more information which can help you make an informed decision as to if breastfeeding might be the right decision for you and your child….

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Breastfeeding and Attachment

Breastfeeding, Attachment and Adoption article, written by an Australian adoptive mum, published in the International Breastfeeding Journal.

Breastfeeding

Mother's Direct, an Australian website on breastfeeding.

Relactation Booklet, a downloadable booklet on relactation.

Adoptive Breastfeeding Resource Website, a website with articles, advice and links to other sites.

Adoptive Breastfeeding Article, an article by La Leche League Leaders

e-groups for adoptive mothers wanting to breastfeed

See under 'World Wide e-groups'.

Breastpump

AACASA members can contact Belinda if they would like to find out more information about the breast pumps available for use.

Websites for Adoptees

If there is a broken link or the following is incorrect or incomplete – please email me at Website Editor.

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PARC

Australians Caring for Children Inc is a voluntary, non-political and non-sectarian association formed in 1987 by a number of families who have adopted children from overseas, through the assistance of Australian Families for Children.

Australians Caring for Children Inc (ACC) is a non-profit association, whose main objectives are to provide support to adoptive families in Australia and to provide aid to orphaned and abandoned children in developing countries - Post Adoption Research Centre

ICASN

"Adoptee's speak out" - for ICASN adoptees - website.

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Post Adoption Health

If there is a broken link or the following is incorrect or incomplete – please email me at Website Editor.

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Hair

This Australian-based website has natural products that some AACASA members have found work well with their children's hair... many Ethiopian born children find that regular (soap based) shampoos and conditioners are not suitable for their hair. These products include a detergent-free shampoo and a hydrating spray that might help.

Change in Diet

An article highlighting some issues regarding diet. The article may be of interest to parents who are concerned about the significant increase in cholesterol levels of their children whose diet now includes high amounts of meat, milk, icecream, butter etc. Also, the effects of of products (hand and face creams and hair products) that include hormones on children. And, the effect of genetically modified foods (including wheat, rice, vegetables) and the effects of pesticides and fertilisers on the growth and health of children. Website.

Skin Conditions

This website has slides showing photos of various skin conditions that occur in babies/older kids from African and other non-European cultures.

Mystery skin problems seem to be something many parents ask each other about, and these photos may be useful for parents and also doctors who don't always know how to help.

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Molluscum

Some websites that offer some information about Molluscum... of course all parents should consult their doctor before choosing a method of treatment...

medical helpers

the center for biomedical research

about Leukosilk tape: first aid kit and supplies

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Australian Medicare

Medicare has an information sheet for parents adopting from an overseas country.

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The Orphan Doctor

The Worldwide Orphans Foundation has an on-line website that includes information on health issues for children from Ethiopia.

ADHD & Adopted Children

Article written for newsletter of Australian Families of Children. Website.

Various Factsheets

This is an American based website that has a number of factsheets on various medical issues. For example ...

transitional sleep issues,

attachment issues,

developmental milestones,

travel etc.