Each Wednesday we post links from the previous week that touch on special needs adoption. Our hope is that these small snapshots provide you with a glimpse of life after adopting through China’s waiting child program… both the long-term blessings and the challenges that come with parenting a child with special needs. We also hope to raise awareness about a variety of special needs.

Tympanoplasty? Sounds Spooky. — adoptive momma (India and Ethiopia) Given Much Momma at Given Much… an unexpected surgery has a momma fretting a bit

Adopting an Underweight Baby — adoptive momma (Russia) Ingrid at the group adoption site Grown In My Heart… basic information about adopting a child who is underweight

The Secret Language of Special Needs — momma to a special needs child Janis at 5 Minutes for Special Needs… the shorthand so common among parents who have children with special needs

A change of heart — adoptive momma (China) Nicole at The Baker Sweets… explaining, with no words, to a dermatologist why they adopted a child with a giant congenital nevus on 65% of her face, 5 other large nevi on her torso, arm and leg plus an unknown number of satellite nevi

autism, appearances and awareness — momma to a child on the autism spectrum Patty at Pancakes Gone Awry… on judgment from others when parenting a child with non-visible special needs

So, Here’s How It Went Down — adoptive momma (China) Shirlee McCoy at And Then There Were Seven… a conversation with a Chinese immigrant about adopting through China’s special needs program

Special Kids Require Special Planning — adoption lawyer Clint at the group adoption blog Grown In My Heart… about estate planning when one has a child with special needs

Memories at last!!! — adoptive momma (China) Kathie at On My Front Porch Looking In… developing shared memories with an older child during the first year together as a family

Precocious Puberty in International Adoption — adoptive momma (China) Tonggu Momma at the group adoption blog Grown In My Heart… after one of her daughter’s friends is diagnosed with precocious puberty, a momma seeks to educate other adoptive parents