[lucyjoy]

It is important to ask these questions to be prepared for what a child may need. If a child is setting fires or having sex with other children, a potential adoptive parent needs to know this to determine types of needed therapy and safety issues.

If a child has specific learning disabilities, the parents need to consult with the schools for appropriate placement and services. I live in a small town and while schools are required to comply with services for disabled children, they don't have the resources or understanding to deal with my sons issues. They require education and outside intervention.

Also, if one has other children, they have to determine if a child is safe to live with other children.

Like it or not, these are issues. And many of us did not set out to adopt with the thought of helping a child but rather the thought of building a family. That means understanding and meeting our kids needs.

I think these are excellent questions to ask when persuing adoption. These children have history we missed-good and bad and adoption doesn't make that go away.