I know what you are thinking. You are asking yourself “What is an adoption doctor and what does he or she do?” If you are like me, you may not have heard this term before. An adoption doctor is a physician who specializes in adoption. An adoption doctor will help you before, during, and after the adoption. Before you adopt, an adoption doctor can help you interpret the medical records of the child to determine any medical issues the child has had and help you determine if the child is the best fit for your family. During the adoption, an adoption doctor will help you prepare for the child and give you some helpful advice. After the adoption, the adoption doctor will complete a comprehensive physical exam and refer the child to any specialists if needed. 

If you choose to adopt internationally, an adoption doctor will also complete some laboratory screenings, evaluation of growth status, immunization counseling, and developmental screening. It is recommended that you postpone the physical exam for at least 1-2 weeks to allow the child some time to adjust to his/her new family and surroundings. If needed, you can schedule follow-ups to review the development and behavior problems addressed at the initial visit. This follow-up may include monitoring development over time and neurodevelopmental testing as needed.

Now that you know what an adoption doctor does, you probably want to know where you can find one. The best thing to do is talk to your doctor to receive a referral to an adoption doctor. You may also visit this hopkinsallchildrens.org or kidshealth.org to get more information about services. 

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