A Longitudinal Study of Special-Needs Adoptive Families.

The article focuses on a study concerned with the changes that have taken place in child adoption practices due to the changes in society at large. The changes are influenced by the increased acceptance of single-parent families, greater availability of contraception, legalization of abortion, changes in child welfare practice, increased abuse and neglect reporting and the implementation of permanency planning. An increase in special-needs adoption has taken place, and at the same time, the percentage of all adoptions ending in adoption disruption has increased. The study findings have recommend for increased efforts to develop effective postadoption supports and services for children and families.