Commonly used adoption terms

Sometimes the terms used in adoption can be confusing. This glossary can help you make some sense of them.

Adoption

The process by which a child becomes a member, both legally and socially, of a family other than the family of birth. Adoptive parents assume all of the rights and responsibilities of parents.

Types of adoption:

1. Infant adoption.
2. Special needs adoption: handicap, sibling group, older child.
3. Transracial: children representing a race different from that of the adoptive parents.
4. International adoption and international special needs adoption.
5. Familial or step-parent adoption.
6. Closed adoption: Birth parent chooses couple, does not have ongoing contact.
7. Open adoption:
   
   1. Semi-open: Birth parent chooses and meets couple; some form of ongoing contact, such as letters and pictures.
   2. Fully disclosed open adoption: Birth parents and adoptive couple meet and share information and have ongoing contact, such as periodic outings and get-togethers.

Adoptive parent

An individual or couple who have chosen to adopt and have received court approval.

Foster parents

An individual or couple who has temporary care of a child but has no legal rights in determining many aspects of a child's life. Sometimes foster parents become adoptive parents.

Home or adoption study

The social investigation, study and preparation of a family who wishes to adopt. Usually this includes a visit to the home and talks with family members. It includes background checks to verify employment and good character.

Special needs

Refers to many categories of children, including children with physical, emotional or medical disabilities, healthy school-age children, children with brothers and/or sisters who need to be adopted and minority children.

Stepparents

Sometimes confused with adoptive parents. A stepparent is the spouse of a child's parent. A stepparent may become an adoptive parent by legally adopting a child.

Termination of parental rights

This can be through a voluntary process, wherein the parent(s) the child is born to consents to the adoption. The termination of parental rights may also be against their will, if the state feels doing so is in the best interests of the child. A termination of parental rights must occur before an adoption can be finalized. Sometimes foster children are placed with families when it is expected that the parental rights will be terminated. After the termination occurs, then the children may be adopted.

Waiting children

Another term for children with special needs, especially children who need families.

Waiting period

The period after a family is approved for adoption by an agency until a child is placed with their family.