Sizeable Grants ($5000+)

Boy, born 2012
PRC
Twin brothers
Premature; one brother has autism
Listed: February 11, 2016

Warner and Walden are two handsome twin boys who are currently living in different foster families. They see each other periodically but do not have a close relationship. Their reports indicate that they were both born prematurely due to their low weights at the time they were found. Over time, they both increased their food intake and grew in strength.

When Warner was nearly 2 years of age, he could walk steadily, follow simple instructions, and speak 3-5 simple words. He could be stubborn at times like many toddlers, like throwing food he didn’t like in the trash when his foster mom wasn’t looking. He’s an active, outgoing kid who likes interacting with others and playing with toys with other children. According to an update October 2015, he’s made great progress with his communication and language skills; he can answer questions about his name and age, count to 20, express his wants and needs, knows children’s names, and can even recite poems. He has become more independent and can dress himself, feed himself, and use the bathroom. He feels closest to his foster mom and has a few close friends he likes playing with the most. Even though he can be stubborn at times and has an occasional quarrel with his younger foster sister, he still shows his empathy and kindness by helping with chores around the house and even offering his foster parents a back rub when he knows they’re tired!

Walden loves playing with toys, especially ones that make sounds! When he gets a new toy, he likes to shake it first; he’s particularly enthralled by car toys that make engine-like sounds. As an infant, he had some motor development delays; he could crawl and eventually learned to walk, though a bit unsteadily, just before he turned 2 years old. He did not cry often as an infant, and could babble sounds like “ma” and “ah wei”. He would get excited during mealtimes and adorably babble “muma” and scoot closer to anyone holding food. He responds better to familiar people and feels closest to his foster parents, sometimes even putting his arms around them for comfort. When he’s upset, he balls up his fists and his body shakes; his parents help him calm down by holding him and taking him outside. He can recognize his name and although his language skills are limited, he can understand simple instructions. He will sometime engage in repetitive self-soothing behaviors when he feels alone and would benefit from redirection to help him find other ways to comfort himself. An evaluation completed in 2014 suggests a possibility of mild to moderate autism due to his low engagement and minimal communication with others. An update from 2015 tells us he has improved his ability to make eye contact, and can still point to express his wants and needs (for example, when he wants to eat or watch his favorite cartoons). Walden would benefit from a loving, supportive environment and specialized education tailored to his needs.

The current agency has a $4000 grant available to assist families that qualify with the cost of this adoption.