Children who are adopted, even as infants, have complex backgrounds and require a flexible and compassionate approach to their growth and development.  A personalized consultation can help parents learn to understand:

• Milestones, anniversaries, and other events in a child’s life, even positive ones, may present baffling reactions
• A child’s preverbal memories and experiences may affect and influence actions far into childhood
• Adopted children may have neurological differences that present as a ‘stress shaped brain,’ as they appear to overreact to any minor challenge or transition
• ‘Adoption age’ vs. chronological age  what is the significance?
• When and how abandonment concerns may surface during a child’s maturation
• A mixture of sensory, expressive, attachment, and post-traumatic issues are common with adopted children throughout their growth and development
• Effects and results of trauma, abuse, neglect, and inconsistent care-giving can be managed with skill, persistence, and empathy!

Sally Carman, OTR/L is certified in adoption/foster care therapy. She has worked in acute mental health care at two local hospitals for over 12 years, instructing coping skills in group and individual sessions to those in crisis.  She has also been a Clinical Adjunct Instructor at the School of Occupational Therapy at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA.  Sally’s in-depth study towards certification in adoption/foster care therapy has been enhanced by her personal experience:  she has adopted two older children with complex backgrounds.  Sally has worked first-hand with cross-cultural issues, language acquisition, and other significant matters related to adoption and family adjustment.  She also works with children affected by sensory processing disorder.