Other Special Needs Girls, 0-5

This sweet girl loves music, animation, musical toys, taking baths, being outdoors and riding in the stroller. She often plays in the playpen and ball pool. She likes to sit and play alone. She can sit, roll, clap her hands, tries to stand up on her own in the crib, struggles, but stands up holding onto the crib rails. She is spoon-fed and likes a variety of mashed food. She drinks well from a bottle and from a baby bottle. She takes a variety of toys in her hands and holds and plays with them. She likes dolls and has a favourite doll which she plays with nicely. She has attended rehabilitation services and physiotherapy and occupational therapy specialists work with her. She responds to being spoken to by her name and observes and makes eye contact.

Diagnosed with mixed specific developmental disorders, disorder of normal physiological development, congenital hypotonia (reduced muscle tone); bilateral unstable hip joint; specific motor development disorder, hypermetropia (farsightedness).

This precious child is calm, responds to being spoken to, smiles often and is interested in everything. She knows how to clap her hands, likes different musical toys, dolls, blocks, animation and radio. She is rolling in her bed and can sit up by herself. She has a gastrostomy but can eat mashed food from a spoon and drink liquids from a bottle. She sleeps soundly. The institution has medical staff working with her:  nurses, nurses’ assistants, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and she gets massages.

Diagnosed with subarterial ventricular septal defect, multiple congenital malformations, not elsewhere classified, oter secondary pulmonary hypertension, atrioventricular block, complete, supraventricular tachycardia, congestive heart failure, mild to moderate intrathoracic asphyxia, neonatal cardiac arrhythmia, other neonatal feeding disturbances, cerebellar reduction abnormalities, secondary atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, congenital absence of umbilical artery, oesophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula, unilateral renal agenesis, cardiac appliance, and specific motor development disorder. It should be noted that prospective adoptive parents should have the knowledge and skills to be able to provide the necessary assistance, as the girl needs nursing and care.

Darling Brianna sometimes turns herself to a side position. She grabs toys with both hands and handles them. A smile is observed when interacting with an adult. She looks at herself in the mirror. She pronounces vowel sounds. She enjoys individual attention, and she gets upset if she is not paid attention to or if she is left alone in the crib after she has been paid attention to. She tries to initiate contact with her eyes and facial expressions, and she responds to her name.

The position of Brianna’s legs doesn’t allow her to sit and she doesn’t straighten her head, but sometimes she rotates her torso laterally to some extent.  She reaches and grabs a toy handed to her by an adult or placed in her immediate environment and handles it briefly. She follows moving objects and people with a glance and a turn of the head.

Brianna is described as “absolutely adorable, easy to communicate with, and curious about new people and new toys.” Her caregiving staff says she is a calm and gentle child and is “everyone’s favorite in the house where she lives!” Please help us find Brianna’s family!

 Epileptic encephalopathy. Microcephaly. Cerebral palsy. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Delay in neuropsychiatric development. Protein-energy malnutrition

Bardet-Biedl syndrome type 12. Other congenital anomalies (developmental malformations). Tubulointerstitial nephritis, unspecified as acute or chronic. Specific disorders in the development of motor function. Postaxial polydactyly of the four limbs.

Lexi is a bright-eyed 4-year-old girl with bilateral hearing loss and developmental delays, but these do not diminish her joyful spirit. Lexi communicates in her own unique ways and is curious about the world around her. Lexi will thrive in an environment where she receives consistent, patient attention and where her efforts to communicate are celebrated. She’s looking for a family who will provide a nurturing and stimulating home, eager to support her continued development and help her reach new milestones. With love and encouragement, Lexi has the potential to blossom and bring immense joy to her adoptive family.

Holly is a cheerful, lovely, friendly and cheeky 5-year-old girl who lights up her surroundings as a true superstar. She loves people and her medical staff adores her, often gifting her beautiful clothes. She treasures relationships as she can easily remember faces after just two meetings. Holly is learning to use alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) with the help of a tablet, where she can tap to select people she wants to see (picture available). During the social worker’s child visit, she even used gestures to request adding the worker’s face to her tablet even though it was her first-time meeting her. Despite her many medical needs, this child has shown the ability to learn and engage with her with a variety of engagement types. She is a funny girl who makes people smile with her bright personality. A picture is available of her making funny faces when the social worker was taking her pictures for the child study.

Holly is diagnosed with incomplete DiGeorge syndrome, bilateral vocal cord palsy, oropharyngeal dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), scoliosis, global developmental delay and exotropia. She is on tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding. She has remained hospitalized since birth for her medical needs even though she is medically stable now. To learn more about DiGeorge Syndrome, visit the Mayo Clinic’s syndrome page here: DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2 deletion syndrome) – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

As mentioned, despite Holly’s significant medical needs, she has made remarkable progress in her development over the past year. She can follow simple instructions, point to familiar objects, and use tools after observing her teacher’s demonstrations. Holly shows interest and joy while learning various play skills and can imitate appropriate play behaviors with prompting and encouragement. She consistently communicates her needs using gestures and she also has great eye contact. Additionally, she can sit independently, take a few steps without assistance, self-propel her wheelchair for short distances, and manage tasks like eating and dressing on her own. She enjoys watching cartoons and listening to music.

Despite having a tracheostomy, Holly does not require ventilator support. However, in the event of tracheostomy dislodgement, there is a risk of hypoxia and immediate tracheostomy reinsertion is necessary. She needs to be accompanied by a trained caregiver at all times. Holly has been assessed as medically fit for home care. The doctor has recommended that Holly requires a well-trained and attentive caregiver who can provide vigilant around-the-clock care, and the caregiver would need to be proficient in special care skills, including managing tracheostomy emergencies.

Holly has made great strides in the past half year and we strongly believe she will continue to make great progress in reaching her potential within a loving and fun family.

Due to the country’s matching process, families with an approved home study for any country are able to request consideration to be Holly’s parents. If matched, the family would then need to quickly update their home study and gather the dossier for the country.

Dawn & Donna are  twin girls who were born in Ukraine at 29 weeks gestation. They lived in an orphanage in Ukraine until they were 1.5 years old, at which time they were moved to an orphanage in Bulgaria. They were then moved to a different placement in Bulgaria at age 3, where they still reside.

 

Donna’s medical diagnosis includes: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage 5, post vitrectomy condition bilaterally; secondary glaucoma. Left eye ROP stage4 Nystagmus. Delayed neuro-psychic development. Condition after low birth weight. Self-aggression. Spastic quadriparesis. Iron deficiency anaemia

 

Dawn was born first. Her medical diagnosis includes: cerebral palsy – spastic quadriparesis. Spastic quadriparesis. Suspected hydrocephalus with normal pressure and hypoplasia of corpus callosum. Grade 1 hypotrophy. Convergent strabismus; hypermetropia. Condition following very low birth weight.

 

Update July 2024: After their placement into the foster home on May 14, 2024, the girls have adjusted well and made noticeable developmental progress. They show an attachment to the foster mom and follow her instructions. One of the girls can now walk independently and is well oriented in the foster home. The other girl sits with little support. The girls now eat mashed food from a fork or spoon and chew well. They have learned to speak their first meaningful words and are also observed to repeat syllables. While there’s some jealousy between the sisters when it comes to receiving attention, they are emotionally close and hug/hold hands. Videos from July 2024 show one girl as tenacious in exploring her environment and the other as joyful when playing on the floor. The girls attend therapy twice a week and their foster mom is proactive in seeking additional services for them. They like music and singing and enjoy massage from the foster mom. They are thrilled to be playing in the inflatable pool in the backyard. Their foster mom describes them as positive children who will continue to make progress with the right interventions and lots of love.

From a family who met them in 2023

I met these twins when I visited my daughter for trip one in 10/2023. One twin was active and was able to stand holding on and cruise around her crib. She was able to climb right out of her floor crib and back in herself. It was an activity for her and she did it with great ease. She wasn’t trying to escape at any point and would just flip In and out over and over again. She seemed like what you would expect for a toddler. She stopped what she was doing when someone called her name and turned in the direction of their voice. The other sweet twin was always laying down when I saw her. Sometimes in a crib, sometimes in a seat. My daughter asked for “baby” all the time and they would put this twin in her crib with her to lay together. They said she was more “severe”. She definitely seemed more infantile. They were in a really great place where they got plenty of food and were carried around a lot by the staff there. There were 8 kids on that floor in four rooms. The twins shared a room. I believe they are now in a foster situation. They def were pretty easygoing. They had a lot of musical toys which they seemed to like. The active twin kept herself busy a lot but the quiet twin seemed to love cuddling and other kids being around her. I think some of the delays they have may be related to vision impairments. I would imagine they would do well with siblings.

Meet smiling Melly.   She had surgical treatment for correction of a meningocele.  A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was also implanted to treat hydrocephalus. Unfortunately after surgery Melly’s lower limbs are paralyzed.

Melly moves independently in a wheelchair. She can pull herself up with her hands She enjoys contact with children and adults.  She plays with toys, handles them, and can throw them.  Melly pronounces various sounds and syllables although she points to make her needs known. She can maintain interest in an activity for 15-20 minutes.

Anne is delayed in all aspects of her development. She recently began eating from a spoon, and the NG tube was able to be removed. She enjoys attention from staff. She smiles when caregivers speak to her. She reaches and grabs objects, but is not yet playing with toys.

Eloise is a joyful, affectionate, and calm child, who enjoys the simple pleasures of life such as music, dancing, and storytelling. Her sunny disposition radiates through her interactions, whether she’s playing freely in the park, lying peacefully on the grass, or engaging with her peers. Despite any initial nervousness around new people, her warm and gentle demeanor quickly puts others at ease, leading to the formation of close emotional bonds, particularly with her foster mother.

Eloise’s ability to communicate her needs and emotions through gestures and sounds demonstrates her keen self-awareness, and her empathetic nature is evident when she comforts her loved ones. Though faced with medical challenges, Eloise has proven to be remarkably resilient.

VIDEOS:
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Password:  Adoptmaa

Agency fee reductions may be available based on the adoptive family’s circumstances.

Nany was born with an extremely low weight and a complicated neonatal period. She has retinopathy of her left eye, cerebral leukomalacia with manifestation of spastic quadriparesis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and asthma. This sweetie needs a very special family.

The agency staff member who met her during March of 2024, says the following: Nany likes music, and it seems to settle her down. She also likes being in the swing. At times she turned to various sounds. She can lift her head slightly while lying on her stomach. Nany is an extremely fragile, sweet and lovable little girl who needs lots of love, attention, understanding, support and lots of cuddles. Given the serious diagnoses, working with additional specialists definitely would ease and help the child’s condition. Nany is in need of a very prepared and supportive family.

Nany’s current adoption agency has grant funding is available for qualifying families.

Bianca was recently transferred from a large orphanage to a small group home. She’s been making developmental progress in her new home. She can pull to a stand in her crib and cruise along the rail. She will take steps when holding the hands of a caregiver. She reaches for toys and will hold and explore them.

The caregivers describe Jayne as a very sensitive child who needs a lot of attention and encouragement. There is a recent positive change in her development – she can plays with toys, willingly participates in the games and other activities, she can learn songs and can speak simple but logical sentences. Her speech is delayed and motor skills needs improvements. She walks independently. She can eat without help but still required assistance with self-care things.

Kaylee resides at the foster family. She is open, energetic and cheerful child who is curious about the world, eager to learn and makes friends easily. She attends preschool since September 2023. She is physically active girl; she can run and jump, can throw and kick a ball, she can climb. She can do many things without any help (eat, dress/undress).  She is very polite and there are no concerns with her behavior. Her vocabulary is growing, and she is catching up with her development.

Margo
Polymalformative syndrome: Congenital internal hydrocephalus and brain malformation with atrophy of the cerebral lobes and cerebellum; Implantation of the VPS. Hydronephrosis IIIst. on the right with renal calculus; pyeloplasty. Persistent foramen ovale and arterial duct. Symptomatic epilepsy Grand mal seizures. Spastic quadriparesis. Microcephaly. Severe neuropsychiatric development delay

Gabi
Short bowel syndrome. Abnormalities of absorption after surgery. Small bowel insufficiency. Condition after necrotizing enterocolitis. Condition after surgical intervention – termino-lateral ileo-colic anastomosis. Allergy to cow’s milk protein. Cavernous hemangioma on the right side of the face. Condition after: Prematurity IV degree. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Retinopathy of prematurity. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Retention in the neuropsychological development. Hypotrophy II degree

Lily (6) is also described as friendly and one who likes to help others. She has delays in her fine motor skills, though improving, and her speech development. She is receiving therapy for both. Lily is a hyperactive child who has recently started taking medication and it seems to be helping, especially with her night movements which have included head banging which has significantly decreased. She lives to sing and dance as well as draw.

Pia (5) is described as a friendly, kind-hearted and playful child who expresses her emotions readily. However, while she shares her emotions readily, sometimes she has difficulty controlling her emotions and is in therapy to assist her with this—yet it is reported that temper tantrums are not frequent and she is able to regain emotional regulation quickly. She has age appropriate gross and fine motor skills as well as speech development. She loves to sing and dance.

The girls are listed for adoption together. Their older sister, Winnie, is also available for adoption (but separately).  The agency is hoping to find two families, so the girls can maintain contact.

Her caregiver described her as cheerful and happy girl. She has no issues with trust, open to new people and likes to cuddle. She is curious about her surrounding and asks a lot of questions.

She doesn’t always listen what is said to her and has some difficulties with rules and directions. She can be stubborn and needs help with her emotion’s regulation. She started pre-school in September 2024. She loses an interest quickly and has problems to finish her tasks. She enjoys looking at the books, stalking blocks, working with small objects and clay. She likes music and willingly participates in singing activities.  Her vocabulary increased and she learns how to ride a scooter. She likes walking and playing outside.  She still needs help with her physiological needs. She can dress without help and eats independently.

Everly is an adorable little girl with a bright smile. Everly was born prematurely, and has several special needs. She loves bath time. She also loves affection. Everly is continuing to grow and develop. We hope a loving family sees her while she is so young.

Katy is a very intelligent and curious girl.  She loves going to the pool on sunny days.  Her favorite foods are soup and smoothies.

Mae is a precious little girl, born in September of 2021.  Agency staff met Mae in August of 2023. She is an adorable little girl! We’ve been told she is doing well in her current care center since our staff visited her. Mae is described as a sweet, affectionate, and cheerful young girl. She is always smiling! Mae has managed to adapt to the routines around her required special care. She has made great progress since entering her care center, and she learns quickly through repetition She is a girl who likes to move forward and shows interest in learning new things. It is evident that she manages to bond with her caregivers. Contact us to learn more about Mae and her listed medical needs from her placing agency!

NEW VIDEO:

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Update: 10/24

https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-mae21

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Password: Adoptmaa

A female child with a proven genetic neurodegenerative disease – pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency (identified homozygous for mutation p.R446* (c.1291C>T).  She was born from the 15th pregnancy, 12th birth. On the second day after birth, transferred to the intensive care unit due to hyperexcitability, hypertonus of the limbs, with convulsive equivalents. With evidence of respiratory distress syndrome and metabolic acidosis. Held oxygen therapy for 5 days. A delay in the NPR was found, mainly in the motor development, with axial hypotonia and hypertonia of the limbs, combined with lactatemia. Submitted material for genetic testing and metabolic screening. Abdominal ultrasound: Pyelectasis (mild) of the left kidney. with microcephaly, developmental delay, tonus changes, elevated lactate and proven pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency (identified homozygous for mutation p.R446* (c.1291C>T). At the age of 1, a severe delays in the NPR with quadripyramidal syndrome and microcephaly was formed.

Currently, the child has no apparent epileptic seizures, and the EEG shows no epileptiform changes. Remedial nutrition with KetoCal is recommended; reduction of carbohydrate intake. A new hospitalization is forthcoming to start a ketogenic diet with KetoCal.

FAS, defect of the atrial septum, kidney agenesis, impaired and delayed psychomotor development, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum. The girl is making progress, but her development is now estimated at 12-15 months of age. She is curious about her surroundings and active in movement. She walks alone (still with her legs wide apart) and climbs the stairs holding her caregiver’s hand. Klair manipulates objects by shaking them or tapping them against herself. She can put items into box and take them out and build the tower. She does not know how to use a crayon yet and she can’t trace. She seeks contact with adults. She likes to be carried, tickled and hugged. The girl is making progress, but her development is estimated at 12-15 months of age.

Jesslyn is a snuggly baby that likes to be cuddled and hugged by her caregivers. When tired or upset she is able to relax when she hears music or soothing sounds. Although Jesslyn is not able to say words yet, she is able to vocalize through babbling.

Jesslyn needs parents who are comfortable with the many unknowns that are presented by her significant special needs. Jesslyn has epilepsy, hydrocephalus, global developmental delays, and vision concerns.

Evalina is looking for a forever family. She is a happy and playful child, with good behavior. She does suffer from a variety of developmental delays, specifically in her motor skills and communication skills. Evalina smiles often and likes to be around people.

Monica is described as very sweet with a good appetite. She has a calm disposition and is always in a good mood. Her development is impaired with delays in fine motor skills, speech perception, expressive language, auditory attention, independence and sociality. Gross motor skills are significantly impaired. Visual attention is the most advanced. She gurgles and is very interested in various toys. She loves to touch and feel things. She observes her surroundings, knows people who are often with her, and is reluctant to accept strangers until she is used to them. She is very happy to be spoken to, moves her hands, smiles, giggles, chuckles, laughs loudly, and responds in her own language. She loves to be held, picked up and carried around. When placed on her tummy, she raises her head, holds it a little, tries to reach for toys. She has a calm disposition and a good attitude. She is catheterized every 4 hours, with an 8-hour overnight break. She is becoming more independent, tries to drink from a cup she is holding, eats by herself holding a biscuit in her hand, holds a spoon, picks up small crumbs with her fingers and puts them in her mouth.