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Originally Posted By Debbie

Hi. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience parenting or adopting a young child that is doing fine, and is at age level, but whose birth parents are both developmentally delayed and the concern is for the future? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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I can address you question from another angle. I am a casemanager for the develomentally disabled. I work with several individuals who have children. 1 family (both parents DD) raised their children. Kids were put in and out of foster care a few times. 1 son DD, other son not. The system really did a disservice to their kids. I feel sad, that because we had servcies and supports to put into the home, that maybe this is why the kids stayed there. The family was not able to grow in their parenting skills. The boys were really harmed by this. DD son now lives in a supervised apartment (he's an adult). OTher son spent most of his later teenage years in a childrens home. He ages out this year, only has a 9th grade education and major emotional problems. Society will pay for his poor parenting for years to come.

All others, do not have custody of their children. 2 kids are being raised by grandparents. Grandparents are unstable and contributed to my clients mental illness, I see the same concerns in their kids. SOme were adopted and seem to be doing fine. THey got services at a preschool age. But now seem fairly normal (they are early elementary school). another child is profoundly dd, andlives in a family care home.

Hard to say if a child will have developmental delays due to having dd parents. Just depends on the genetics they inherited. Certainly a good stimulating environment will maximize their ability to reach their potential. Of the folks I serve with children, there are 7 children who I know of. The profoundly DD child is believed to be shaken baby, seemed normal at birth. 1 other moderately dd. 2 with "normal" IQ's, but mental health issues from neglect/poor parenting. 2 that are still young and were adopted as preschoolers, but seem to be overcoming mild delays. 1 with borderline IQ, mental health issues due to poor parenting from grandma.