[LucyLou17]

We're hoping to be chosen to interview for a child that is up for adoption. What questions do the adoption committee ask? Any advice on do's or don'ts?

[Withay]

Generally speaking, where I am anyway, the potential adoptive families are not invited to interview. The adoption worker presents their profile to the adoption committee. If there are questions the committee asks the adoption worker for the answers.

[Mkuhlmann06]

Here are the questions I used when we went for our interview:

Here is a good list to ask about any child that you may want more info on.

1. Environment/background/care
· Why is this child not living with their biological parents?
· How old was the child when they came into care?
· Siblings?
· Biological family medical background?
· What is known about the birth parents?
· What has the child been told about their bio family?
· What was the last contact with them?
· Any continued contact with friends, family members, etc?
· Number of previous placements?
· Why did the child have to move?
· Has the child shown ability to bond with care giver? Teacher? Other children in the home?
· Can we speak to current/previous care givers?
· Cultural background?
· Religious affiliation?

2. Functioning in the family
· How have they adjusted to this home?
· How do they handle routine expectations / chores?
· How are they about expressions of affection, about touching?
· Do they prefer men to women, women to men?
· How do they take care of possessions?
· How well do they get along with other children in the household?
· Do they prefer same age, younger or older play mates?
· What is a typical day like for them?
· What type of discipline works best for them?
· What doesn't work for them?
· What problems have occurred at home that you feel we should be aware of and how did you handle them?
· Have there been any behaviors we should be aware of such as wetting the bed, aggression, terrible nightmares etc.

3. Self
· What kinds of feelings does the child have about themselves?
· How does the child handle failure, stress, happiness, anger, pain, anxiety?
· Is the child aggressive towards caregivers or other children?
· What strengths does the child have?
· Does the child have a nickname?
· How well do they communicate?
· Can they talk about their feelings?
· Are there specific things they are afraid of?
· How do they handle these fears?
· What is their experience with animals (dogs, cats, etc.)?

4. Interests/Play
· What do they like to do with their spare time?
· Play alone or with others?
· What kind of play do they avoid?
· Special interests, favorite toys, favorite TV shows?
· Specific likes/dislikes?
· Any sports or organized activities?

5. School
· Academically, are they strong, average, weak?
· How well do they get along with teacher, other kids?
· Any areas of concern or struggle?
· IEP in place? If so, why?
· Learning disorders?

6. Medical
· How is the child's physical and emotional health?
· Physical health – shots up-to-date?
· Regular dental care?
· Hearing/vision status, need glasses?
· Allergies?
· On any medications?
· Doctor's name and phone?
· Any on-going medical issues?

7. Developmental levels
· Developmental levels:
- Social/emotional:
- Cognitive:
- Gross motor, fine motor:
- Adaptive:
· Psychological diagnosis?
· Neurological diagnosis?
· Is the child in therapy? How often?
· Therapist's name and phone?
· What has the child been told regarding sex?
· Any sexual acting out? If so, how/when does it occur?

8. Eating Routines
· Are there any feeding difficulties, table problems?
· Is the child a picky eater?
· Eating habits changed?
· Likes/Dislikes?

9. Sleeping Routines
· Bed wetting? Nightmares? Sleepwalk?
· Bed time routine? Difficult to get to sleep?
· Sleep with a special object?

10. Self Care
· Dress themselves, pick out clothing?
· Bathe themselves, tooth brushing, hair care?

11. Adoption issues
· What does the child understand about adoption? Foster care?
· Has the child mentioned what they would like in a family?
· Has the child been told about adoption and what that would mean to their situation?
· When it is time to move the child, are there any items that you may already know we will need to have in our home? (Items like bikes, scooters, toys, etc.)
· Is there anything you would like to know about us to help you prepare the child when the time comes?