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Adoptive parents need a wealth of information to help them address the important decisions that adoption brings. The professionals at The Valley Hospital's Kireker Center for Child Development work closely with adoptive parents to educate them about the potential medical and developmental issues that a particular child may have and to help families provide appropriate evaluations and services which a child may need.
About the Adoption Screening and Evaluation Program
Our program provides pre- and post-adoption consultations for domestic and international adoptions.
Pre-adoption consultations are provided to review information prospective adoptive parents may have about a child. Typically, the information includes: medical history, photographs, or video tapes which are provided by the adoption agency. Upon review of this information, it will be possible to discuss the medical and developmental issues which may affect a child.
In cases where prospective parents are required to travel abroad without prior information, an educational session can be arranged in order to review the range of issues which may affect a child (e.g., the impact of orphanage living) and information which should be requested once a child has been referred. When adoptive parents travel to meet a child, we are available to review specific information about the child by phone and e-mail.
Post-adoption consultations are usually done within a few weeks of a child's arrival into their family. During this consultation, we will review a child's history, initiate appropriate medical evaluations, identify developmental difficulties, and refer a child for appropriate interventions. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled as needed.
Consultations are also available for children who have been with their families for longer periods of time in order to review medical issues, and to evaluate developmental, behavioral, and educational concerns.
Who Provides the Service?
Lisa Nalven, MD, MA, is the director of the Adoption Screening and Evaluation Program. Dr. Nalven is a developmental pediatrician, with expertise in adoption medicine, who performs the pre- and post-adoption consultations.
A licensed psychologist is also available to provide comprehensive psychoeducational assessments for children ages 3 to 16 years who are experiencing learning and/or other school difficulties.
Other program components include case management, referral to appropriate specialty therapists including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy. These services and others, such as audiology (including central auditory processing evaluations) and social work support are available at our Center. Referral to other pediatric medical subspecialists will be coordinated as needed.
To Make An Appointment or For More Information
If you are considering adopting a child or have done so in the past and would like to schedule a consultation, please call (201) 447-8151. The Kireker Center for Child Development is located at 505 Goffle Road in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
If you would like more information, please call the number above or log on to www.valleyhealth.com/adoption.
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