• Services
• Patient & Visitor Information
• Maps & Directions
• Community
• Ways to Give
• About Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children

Register or Login to MyHealth

Donate Now

• (+)Text Size
• (-)Text Size
• Print Page
• 
• Email Page

Frequently Asked Questions

At the Center, we specialize in comprehensive medical, developmental and psychosocial evaluations of children adopted from international countries. Our staff of dedicated professionals will try in every way, to provide you and your child with the specialized services needed to aide in your decision to adopt a child or to help your child reach their full potential.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the International Adoption Center.

Why should you take your child to a Center specializing in internationally adopted children?
A growing number of families are choosing to adopt children from other countries. The living conditions and early experiences of many of these children set them apart from most U.S.-born children. These experiences may place the children at risk for numerous medical, infectious, developmental or emotional problems that may not typically be seen in the U.S. In addition, medical records provided before or at the time of adoption may be non-existent, unreliable, written in confusing medical terminology or contain problems unfamiliar to many U.S. physicians. These factors can make it difficult for U.S. physicians to keep up on the latest issues, treatments and problems unique to these children.

Our staff is committed to understanding and caring for the internationally adopted child. We regularly attend and participate in national conferences dealing with internationally adopted children. In addition, our ongoing research allows us to better understand and stay at the forefront of knowledge when dealing with this unique population.

What services are provided at the Center?
At the International Adoption Center, we help you through the entire adoption process. We provide a wide range of pre-adoption services, including evaluation of video tapes and medical records, photographs, estimation of developmental level, and discussion of medical and developmental issues. For families traveling to countries that do not provide pre-trip referrals, we will discuss what to be aware of when you travel, as well as what to look for when you arrive.

Following your adoption, our staff will address the child's medical needs and begin developmental assessment, focusing specific attention on medical issues that we know are both common and unique to the foreign adopted child, and including a thorough medical evaluation and laboratory screening tailored to the needs of the child and country of origin. Developmental and behavioral needs and services are also the mainstay of this evaluation.

A unique service that we provide is ongoing follow-up of the adopted child. Tracking the development of adopted children enables us to understand the long-term health issues unique to this population of children, and helps to identify trends to aid future families and their physicians. We also provide ongoing educational classes and seminars that deal with both pre- and post-adoptive issues, and will work with your child's pediatrician to provide information about issues related to internationally adopted children.

What can I expect from the pre-adoption evaluation?
Often, the decision to accept a child for adoption must be made quickly. This is a critical and emotional time for the potential parent(s). There is a minimal turnaround time on all pre-adoption medical-record documents and videotape reviews. We will make every effort, within reason, to return a verbal review of the materials submitted as quickly as possible, and will send a written report to your home for your records upon completion, including general impressions about the growth, developmental and emotional status of the child at the time of the recording. We may also be able to provide impressions concerning the child's overall health status, giving emphasis on helping prospective parents to prepare for any special services that the child may need.

What's included in the pre-adoption report?
A verbal report will be provided within one week upon receipt of materials. We can often provide this feedback within 24 to 48 hours, depending on schedules. This session can take place in person or by telephone. We will also send a written report to you for your records and, if you request, to your child's new physician.

Will my insurance cover this evaluation?
Because you will have not formally adopted your child at the time of the pre-adoption medical record and video review, your insurance will not cover the cost. The cost of your medical record or video review will be due by cash, check or credit card at the time of your appointment. Please do not send cash in the mail.

I live out of state. Do I have to travel to the International Adoption Clinic for the pre-adoption evaluations?
No. Materials can be sent by overnight express or through the mail and the pre-adoption evaluations can be done by telephone or in person.

If I decide I want a pre-adoption evaluation, how can I get one?
If you decide to have a pre-adoption evaluation or have questions, contact our office for up-to-date instructions. You will need to complete the pre-adoption information sheet and consent form. You may download this form, fill it out and mail it, or e-mail us the completed form. Forms can also be obtained by calling our office at 703-970-2651 and requesting a pre-adoption evaluation packet. To expedite your pre-adoption review, the following information must be completed before your pre-adoption evaluation can occur:

• Completed pre-adoption information sheet
• Completed and signed consent form
• Pictures or other documents to be reviewed, with your initials and the date
• If available, video tape for our permanent files with your initials and the date
• English translation of the medical records

How do I get the medical records translated?
The International Adoption Center may be able to help you with a translation referral if you do not have one available.

What if I have a question when I'm traveling to bring my child home?
The International Adoption team members will make themselves available to you for consultations by telephone and e-mail should you have questions when adopting your child from another country to the best of their ability. Please remember that this is a courtesy service, and that though our staff tries to be available as often as we can, there will be occasions when we are unavailable. We try to limit these times as much as possible and will provide other resources while we are away. Please contact the International Adoption Center before your trip to confirm availability.

What type of things should I bring with me on my trip to bring my child home?
The International Adoption Center will provide you with a list of items you should consider bringing abroad when you adopt your child.

What can I expect from the post-adoption evaluation?
The post-adoption evaluation offers the opportunity to obtain a medical and developmental evaluation focusing on specific risk factors unique to the internationally adopted child.

I already have a pediatrician. Do I have to stop seeing them?
No, we strongly encourage and require that all families have a pediatrician. Though the Center provides specialty care and services, primary care services are still needed. We will establish a close working relationship with your physician, to help him or her address all of your child's needs. Our staff is dedicated to dealing specifically with foreign- adopted children and we specialize in the medical and developmental issues unique to these children. We are available to you and your child's physician to help ensure that all of these needs are identified and addressed.