[SquirlyGirl]

I know in my area there are a lot of children in the system because of Meth addicted parents. In the chat rooms we have discussed the growing epidemic of meth and the effect on children. None of us had much of an idea about what the effects are of meth on kids. I have been doing some research to find out about the effects on kids and what do I need to do to be prepared for.

Here is an article I just want to share from NC to Foster Parents http://www.fosteringperspectives.org...l9no2/meth.htm

[SquirlyGirl]

Here is a whole list of articles on children and meth.

http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/topics/issues/meth.cfm

[Mom2threebabes]

I am looking forward to looking at the links you posted. We have a foster daughter we are getting ready to adopt who was exposed to meth and other drugs. She has had horrible difficulties with regulating her emotions and her moods. She is 31 months and has already been diagnosed with a mood disorder, odd, and possible adhd. We have our first appts with a child psychiatrist next week and I am so hopeful that they will be able to help her. It has REALLY been taxing on our family, but nonetheless, we love her and are committed to her!

[cherrymom]

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/app...603120301/1002

A great, heart wrenching article about kids & the effects of meth. We have one wee one born to a Meth addicted mom - she is 20 mnths now and doing well developmentally however medically she has some definite long term effects. Did your dd have a brain scan or ultra sound at birth?

[Mom2threebabes]

No brain scan or ultra sound was done at birth. We are, however, gearing up for an MRI in the near future. I want her to have whatever kinds of scans that can be done to give us a clue as to what damage has been done to her brain. The sad thing is that she is a beautiful, bi-racial child. She does have good days where her mood is compliant, but most days it is exhausting and dibilitating to care for her. But our love and faith in God keeps us going... and going ... and going ...

[mayamoo]

Hi - my foster/adopt daughter was meth exposed at birth. She just turned 2 last month. We haven't noticed a lot of ill effects from the exposure. She does seem to be slightly delayed in verbal skills, has trouble doing fine motor skills, and walks on her toes when agitated. But she has a very sweet personality and tantrums like other children her age (what I mean is - not overly frequent) Do you think that since she seems mostly on target for her age - does this mean that she has escaped her meth exposure fairly unscathed? Or could stuff show up later?
Carrie

[LadyBugz]

I wonder (without having read the links) if the stage of development at the time of the meth exposure could play a part in the child's difficulties. Perhaps it is far worse at a certain point during the pregnancy? And perhaps your little one's mom had not partaken of that drug regularly. If she took it just once sometime right before delivery, the little one would show as positive for it. But I can't imagine that would have the same effect as a mom who got pregnant doing meth and never stopped the whole way through.