Special Needs Waiting Children

Featured Waiting Child – Sophia Sophia (2/02) is an active little girl who has a bright,beautiful smile! She has a lot of activities that she enjoys doing, and especially loves having her hair done and being pampered. Sophia is a girly-girl and loves to dress up. Sophia enjoys drawing, coloring, playing with her toys, and listening to music! Sophia is a very happy girl when she is rocked in a chair and sung to! Sophia also enjoys dancing and playing with puppets. At times Sophia can become oppositional when it comes to an activity she does not want to engage in. Sophia is at her happiest when she gets to see her “Strawberry Shortcake” or “Winnie the Pooh” videos.

Sophia is in the 2nd grade and her strongest skills include identifying and writing the letters of the alphabet. Due to being Autistic and having speech delays, Sophia is also able to do some signing which helps her communicate her needs and she has also done a great job increasing her vocabulary some! Sophia does well demonstrating age appropriate fine motor and self help skills. She does a great job putting her shoes on the correct feet and using the buttons and zippers on her clothes!

Sophia will do best in a home with parents that have experience working with Autistic children and where she can receive a lot of one-on-one attention. Sophia has a sibling who she has contact with so families must be open to maintaining that relationship.

If you would like to learn more about any waiting child in MN, please contact your LSS adoption worker.

Special Needs children may have some of the following characteristics:

• Six years of age or older
• Representative of all ethnic groups
• Members of a sibling group looking for placement with one adoptive family
• Emotional, intellectual, social, mental, or physical challenges
• Genetic predisposition for developing emotional, intellectual, social, mental, or physical difficulties

Minnesota's Waiting Children
You can view some of Minnesota's Waiting Children through the following links.

MN Adopt
Hennepin County Children and Family Services
Ramsey County Adoption Services

Interstate Program
You can begin interstate searches through the following links. For information regarding state specific websites, please contact your LSS worker.

Adopt US Kids
Adopt America Network
The Adoption Exchange
Children Awaiting Parents
Faces of Adoption
Jewish Children's Adoption Network
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (for links to all states' on-line photo listings)
Northwest Adoption Exchange
SouthEastern Exchange of the United States (SEEUS)