Resource Guide for
Over the past year, The Evan B.
Donaldson Adoption Institute has received many inquiries
from educators about resources for addressing adoption
with sensitivity in the school environment. This
brochure has been prepared in response to those many
requests. This brochure is meant to be used as a
starting point in identifying educational resources.
Members of the Institute's Practice Advisory committee
graciously contributed information for this document and
agreed to serve as experts to educators in the
community. Printed resources such as training manuals
and journal articles written for education professionals
have been identified. A select list of training centers
and independent consultants are provided as well. For
those interested in reading more about the research
outcomes for adopted children in the academic setting an
annotated bibliography is included.
Print Training Manuals
Internationally Adopted Children
Children's Understanding of Adoption
Conducted in Other Countries
Hilborn, Robin. "Adoption Helper's Teacher's Guide to Adoption." Adoption Helper Magazine, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Canada. 1998.
A practical guide for Elementary Educators.
Dellisanti, Georgine. "Teaching Children from
Complex Backgrounds". Washington, D.C.: The
Washington Post-Adoption Project, Adoption Resource
Center, Children's Home Society of Washington, 1994.
manual summarizes ways in which teachers can broaden
understanding of the needs of adopted children, teach
creatively and skillfully handle behaviors in the
classroom. The manual is divided into two sections.
Section one focuses on the issues of sensitivity to
family diversity for the child who has joined their
family through adoption at any age. Section two focuses
specifically on the impact of multiple loss, abuse and
neglect on children.
To order copies contact:
Rebecca Perbix Mallos
Children's Home Society of
8011 118th Ave.,
Kirkland, WA 98033
425-889-8524 ext. 7
Garanzini, Michael J. Child-Centered,
"Family-Sensitive Schools: An Educator's Guide to
Family Dynamics". Washington, D.C.: National
Catholic Educational Association, 1995.
This book seeks to make
teachers and administrators more knowledgeable about the
varieties of students' family structures and shows them
how to be more adept at managing the effects of family
systems as they impact the child, the classroom and the
school. In chapter eight, case studies are used to
examine some of the psychological issues that exist in
To order copies contact:
National Catholic Educational
Washington, DC 20055
Piantanida, M.; Anderson, S.; and Giannotta, V.
"Focus on Adoption: The Role of School Personnel in
Supporting Adoptive Families". Pittsburgh, PA.:
Three Rivers Adoption Council, 1990.
This monograph advocates
greater collaboration among parents, school personnel
and adoption professionals and addresses numerous
adoption issues at school and support strategies for
To order copies send $3.00 to
Three Rivers Adoption
307 Fourth Ave., Suite
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Melina. L. "The Best of Adopted Child: Issues
Children Face in School".
of 10 back issues of the Adopted Child newsletter. Each
issue highlights a school theme such as: 1) Teachers
need to be more sensitive to adoption issues, 2)
Children learn about differences by teasing, 3)
Different approaches taken to dealing with adoption in
schools, 4) Adoptees may be at risk for hyperactivity,
but no one knows why, 5) Guidelines given for classroom
presentations on adoption, 6) Ways to teach racial
tolerance in classrooms outlined, 7) Do homework before
sending non-English-speaking child to school, 8)
Attitudes toward academics - Adoptive parents more
anxious, 9) Children with learning disabilities need
help understanding adoption, and 10) Stronger role for
genetics gaining support in adoption.
To order the bound volume
send $15.00 to:
National Association of School Social Workers.
"Teacher and Administrator Handout" Silver
Spring, MD: National Association of School Social
This handout gives a brief history of adoption and
explains that adoption is not a "single
event," but a lifelong process. Discusses how
curriculum can be modified to be sensitive to adoption
issues, how important positive adoption language is and
lists adoption resources for parents and educators.
"Adopted Children at School" and
"Children and Adoption" are two additional
fact sheets that present theory and research on adopted
children's developmental, psychosocial and behavioral
issues. They also look at family issues and at areas in
which school personnel can enhance successful adoptions.
Association of School Social Workers
8455 Colesville Road, Suite 1000,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Out of Print Training Manuals
(Note: These publications are out
of print but may be available from your local library.)
Monserrat, Catherine Paschal and Lindsay, Jeanne
W. "Adoption Awareness: A Guide for Teachers,
Counselors, Nurses, and Caring Others". Buena Park,
CA: Morning Glory Press, 1990.
Nancy Sheehan Ng and
Lansing Wood. "Adoption and the Schools Project --
vol. 1: A Manual for Parents Educating the
Educators". Minneapolis, Minnesota: Families
Adopting in Response and The North American Council on
Adoptable Children, 1993.
Nancy Sheehan Ng and Lansing Wood.
"Adoption and the Schools Project -- vol. 2:
Understanding Adoption a Guide for Educators".
Minneapolis, Minnesota: Families Adopting in Response
and The North American Council on Adoptable Children,
This Ng and Wood series is highly recommended by
many adoption professionals but is unfortunately out of