If you decide request a pre-adoption evaluation you will need to fill out the Pre-adoption Information Sheet and the consent form. Fill out his form online and print it out. This form needs to be initially emailed to us in order to refer the case to the consulting physician. The form also needs to be attached to the pre-adoption package that you will be mailing to us
In order to process and expedite your pre-adoption review, the following information must be completed before your pre-adoption evaluation can occur:
- Completed Pre-adoption information sheet and consent
- Pictures or other documents to be reviewed.
- Video with the date at which it was taken as well as approximate age of child at that time.
- English translation of the medical records as well as the original medical documents for comparison.
- Pre-adoption Medical records
Sometimes medical information is scarce and the desire to adopt is great. It is imperative that you as a parent ask your agency to provide as much medical information as possible. This is the one time in life where more is better. - Pre-adoption video records
A video recording of a child can be a useful tool for evaluating the developmental milestones of a child. Unfortunately a video recording can not be be considered a replacement for a general physical examination, but for some parents that is all we have to go on.
How a parent can act as a doctor and collect the Medical Records Data
Guidelines for preparing a adoption video.
While some families are fortunate enough to be presented some medical records from either the child or the birth mother, some cases receive no records and they will need to make a on the spot decision while in the country. This type of case is called a blind referral. Our doctors can help guide you through this difficult decision, and we can train you to act as our eyes on the ground to collect the medical data and create your own Medical Chart for us to review.
With today’s technology, it is easy to collect and transmit the data back to adooptiondoctors.com for us to evaluate and go over with you.
Prior to your choice to adopt, most adoption agencies will provide the prospective parents with some sort of medical records, pictures and video recording. This quality of these medical documents depends on the Childs age and the country of origin. It is highly recommended that for parents who visit the child prior to adoption that they can help to collect the required medical documents and prepare your own video recording during their trip.
Sometimes medical information is scarce and the desire to adopt is great. It is imperative that you as a parent ask your agency to provide as much medical information as possible. This is all that you have to help you make a lifelong, irreversible decision. If all concerns and questions are not adequately addressed, it may be better to refuse a referral for adoption rather than to proceed with one that you are ill prepared to handle.
A video recording of a child can be a useful tool for evaluating the developmental milestones of a child and to determine if there are any facial characteristics that may be associated with any syndromes or genetic defects. Unfortunately a video recording can not be be considered a replacement for a general physical examination, but for some parents that is all we have to go on.
Video Setting: The date of the recording needs to be documented.
- The setting should be familiar to the child.
- The child should know the persons filming.
- The environment should be as free from distractions.
- Well lit area.
Video Recording:
- Close-up shot of the face, including different angles and various facial expressions.
- The remaining video should about a three foot distance
- The video should show the child both dressed and partially undressed.
- Spontaneous movement of the arms, legs and trunk should be documented.
- Age appropriate skills should be evoked with the help of assistants. (ex: gross motor, fine motor, adaptive skills such as dressing, undressing and eating and playing)
- Developmental progress can be evaluated with serial video recordings at different ages of development.
- Engage the child in verbal interactions as well as play.
The following is a checklist of information that if available might aid in your evaluation process:
Child’s Birth Mother:
- Age
- occupation
- number of previous pregnancies
- number of other living children
- current living conditions
- smoking, drinking and drug habits
- Why the child was institutionalized
- The age at which the child was removed.
- Where the child has lived.
Your Adopted Child
- Birth weight, length and head circumference
- Birth history, including gestational age and the method of delivery
- Medical problems both before and after the placement.
- Any medical diagnoses
- Medications taken on a regular basis.
- Blood transfusions received, if any and why?
- immunization records
- Medical evaluations from specialists in the country of origin
- laboratory studies prior to adoption
- Growth measurements including height, weight and head circumference should be obtained.