Many adopted people have health challenges. Some are inherited, others are due to prenatal drug and alcohol exposure, many are a legacy of trauma experienced in early childhood. Our Adoption Barometer 2022 (link) 45% of adopted 16-25 year olds had sought help with their mental health. Neurodiverse conditions such as FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), autism and ADHD are common amongst adopted people. As well as providing support, we campaign with adoptees and adoptive parents to improve the support for those facing these sorts of health challenges.

 

Research         Campaigning

Research

 

Adoption UK Children's Mental Health Report

The right support can be transformative. Adoption UK’s fifty years of experience working with adoptive families tells us that the keys to protecting mental health are to intervene early, to embed mental health support into front line services and to make sure people are well supported in the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Read our full report here

 

More research

Read more about the physical and mental health of adopted children in these AUK reports:

                     

FASD: Diagnostic Challenges & Recommendations for the Future

In response to growing calls for support and information about FASD from adoptive parents, Adoption UK hosted a national conference attended by a packed auditorium of parents and professionals from across the UK. The conference brought together the foremost authorities on FASD in the UK, united in their wish to highlight the importance of greater awareness and focus on the condition and answer questions from those living with the impact of FASD. This report followed the conference:

Read the Time is Now Report

This report pulls together evidence from a series of roundtables hosted by the National FASD Experts Committee engaging organisations including Adoption UK, practitioners, policy makers, commissioners, public health experts and people with lived experience.

 

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FASD: Parent carer survey

FASD is the most common neurodevelopmental condition in the western world, yet time and time again we hear that getting a diagnosis is problematic for people with a prenatal alcohol history. This report sets out the results of a 2021 survey of parents and carers of children affected by FASD. It shows the challenges families face and powerfully demonstrates the need for improved diagnostic processes and post-diagnostic support.

Read more here

 

 

Campaigning

 

We have a clear set of recommendations for governments, based on our research:  

• Ensure every adopted child has access to timely diagnosis and support for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• Ensure every adopted child can access excellent, free mental health support when they need it

 

Want to make a difference?

Get involved with our campaigning

 

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