This booklet was developed to provide educators with basic information about adoption-related issues and the effect these issues might have on students, as well as suggestions on how educators can assist and advocate for students who are adopted.

From requests for baby pictures to the ubiquitous Family Tree assignment adopted children and their families face challenges and embarrassment in the classroom. FAIR (Families Adopting in Response) now offers help for parents and teachers. Adoption and the Schools: Resources for Parents and Teachers is a complete guide to understanding the dilemmas faced by adopted children in the school setting.

This adoption awareness curriculum has been designed to help adoptive parent group leaders and others train child welfare, medical, legal, education, and mental health professionals, and other community members to be more responsive to the needs of adopted children and to work more effectively with their families.

If your child is struggling with attachment or still working on skill development in the areas of impulse control, self regulation, or cause and effect thinking traditional behavior modification models often used in schools will likely be challenging for them to navigate. Discussing this with your child’s teacher will help the teacher to understand your child’s needs and plan accordingly.