[L-A-J-C-R-C]

You should call the contact person on his profile and ask how they feel he would do in your home. Be very honest with them. Read his profile very carefully and try to read between the lines, most of all, ask questions!

I didn't mean to discourage you from trying from an older child, we happen to have a 15 year old with us. Our kids are 20 (bio), 16 (bio) 15 (foster/adopt); 3 (foster - in process of adopting); 2 (foster - in process of adopting); and 19 months (medically fragile foster child - will be adopting in the future).

The 15 year old is our 2 and 3 y/o's older brother. We had planned to adopt him when his moms rights were terminated, however, we've put those plans on hold as he is doing NOTHING to try to fit into our family. Don't get me wrong, he's a great kid, he just chooses to eat and leave right away, not participate in his younger sibs bd parties; etc. He has compulsive behaviors and, quite frankly, they drive me crazy. He came to us from a placement (with relatives) where he never received anything and was not allowed to so anything socially. Well, that turned around quickly. He constantly asks us to buy him stuff (not one thing has been under $500). We get the impression he's with us for what he can get out of us - excluding a family! We have decided to wait until he's 18 and, if he doesn't decide to go live with his mom, we will adopt him at that time.

Good luck in your decision. There is absolutely no harm in calling the worker and asking general questions. They won't give too many personal details but if you question it like, "do you feel he'd do well in a home that has a high functioning autistic child?" If he has behavior problems or attachment problems they should be on his profile. If not, ask about those too.

Best of luck to you.

Michelle