Other Special Needs Boys, 6-9

Such a sweet, squishy little guy! His head is completely flat on the back.

Joey shows good attachments with the adults in his life but definitely is at his best when he has a lot of 1:1 time with those adults. When that time is not able to happen, he struggles more with regulation. Joey is a very friendly, active, and kind child who loves to play and be silly! You can most often find him playing made-up games, riding bikes, or running around with the other boys in his home. He has a very big imagination that he uses to draw and build, he loves to do crafts and be creative!

Joey is a sweet friend to the other boys in his home regardless of age or ability, and is especially fond of helping one of the younger boys in his home with cerebral palsy. Joey will help him walk or sit to play games, will help him color, and always wants to bring him along when they go out on walks or trips to the shop. Joey loves to be outside, jump on the trampoline, swim, explore parks, anything that keeps him active!

Leo is very agile and curious. He likes to read and play sports and is talented in music. He has many friends, has completed 3rd grade and is eager to learn at school. He is helpful and quick to understand. He is describe as curious, calm, friendly and smart. He forms his own opinions and quickly absorbs new information. He is very interested in creative play and books. He is talented in music and likes to sing, dance and play instruments. When conflict occurs, he tends to feel hurt and then he checks for others feelings. He tries to provoke other children when he gets angry. He communicates well and has strong social skills. He enjoys playing with other children. He is diagnosed with Hypermetropia.

K is active, strong and is very close with his brother. He enjoys music and is in the 2nd grade. He is independent, curious and likes to think. He is talented in music and enjoys tasks where fine motor skills are required. He has congenital glaucoma and can’t see with his left eye. He is self conscious of his eye, has low self esteem and visits a psychologist to help him learn how to manage his anger and express his emotions. He likes to be alone or in a quiet environment and enjoys watching TV. He has difficulty making friends but wants to communicate with other children and staff members. He has a speech disorder and difficulty with attention, concentration and self regulation. He takes medication to lower his anxiety. He is diagnosed with mixed disorder of scholastic skills, congenital cataract and congenital glaucoma.

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Steve is a visually impaired child with normal IQ and intelligence. He needs a family soon because he wants to learn/study and only a family can provide the resources he needs.

Steve was born premature in the 7th month of pregnancy and required NICU care. He developed Retinopathy and Prematurity for which he was operated on. Currently he is 6 years old. He has almost no vision in his left eye and 10-15% vision in the right eye. Steve needs an adoptive family soon, otherwise he will be transferred from the adoption agency to a boy’s shelter, making his adoption extremely difficult, if not impossible.

He is a cheerful and happy boy who likes music and loves to sing. He is a rule follower and likes to participate in group activities.  He is a very smart, kind and non-aggressive child who is loved by other kids and caregivers.

Georgie was transferred to his current home in April 2018. He had experienced neglect and under-stimulation in his previous orphanage but already his development is progressing and we look forward to seeing Georgie learn and explore the world. Georgie is functionally blind and has very little light perception. He has been doing so well in his transition into this new chapter of life. Everyday we are more captivated by his bubbly, sweet, gentle disposition. Georgie is rapidly changing and developing. He is learning how to scoot around, bear weight, and explore with his hands. He had no experience in his previous home with self feeding, but already is making great progress and is self feeding with minimal support. He had no English exposure previously, but in just a month his English understanding is already developing and he responds to several commands. He is weak, but gaining strength. He can pull up to a stand using a surface for support. Georgie loves making silly noises and often vocalizes silly babbles, finds interesting surfaces to tap on, or picks things up and throws them to hear their clatter. Georgie is very social. He loves to be held and swung around. He sometimes whimpers when he is put down and communicates non-verbally that he wants to be held. He mimics sounds others make and often bursts with excited laughter when playing with other adults and children. We are so excited to see him begin to hit the milestones he is already working towards.

UPDATE July 2020: Georgie has been making steady progress in his language skills. Lately, he has begun to make requests on his own or make jokes in conversations with his teachers, caregivers, and house mom. Georgie’s favorite little joke right now is to reply “JUICE” to each and every question asked of him. He erupts into giggles and repeats the word over and over until tickles and exclamations prompt him to give the real answer that we were looking for. We recently celebrated Georgie’s 6th birthday, and when asked what he wanted to do for his party he answered without hesitation: “DANCE PARTY!” Georgie can count to 10 and is learning his first braille characters!

Clifton lives with a foster family.  He loves to listen to music and dance and is always looking for a dancing partner! His foster family is working on him walking longer distances independently.  He is learning how to play with toys and interact appropriately with other children.  He has few words and does not follow verbal directions.  Clifton is receiving therapy multiple times a week.

Clifton’s gross motor skills are well-developed – he moves around independently, even at long distances, and he has no difficulties walking on different surfaces. He can now run (since the beginning of January 2017). The deficits noted previously in Clifton’s fine motor skills have been compensated to a great extent. He can transfer small elements with a spoon from one bowl into another with an adult’s assistance, he plays with certain materials and toys, he clips and unclips clothes pegs, he looks for an object hidden in the sand and he takes it out with great interest. He holds a pencil and leaves pale traces with it on a sheet of paper. He does great eating with a spoon. Clifton accepts the toothbrush and allows for his teeth to be brushed.

It happens more and more rarely for Clifton to demonstrate anxiety in response to being introduced to unfamiliar places and people. The stereotypic movements he demonstrates when someone initiates interactions with him have decreased significantly. He imitates actions he has observed more often and more successfully than before. Clifton becomes lively and starts dancing whenever someone is singing or plays music.

Clifton is  calm in his new foster family, he often smiles and he laughs aloud while playing with an adult (or with the girls in the foster family). He is especially attached to the foster father and the younger daughter in the family. Clifton has become a lot more sociable in the last 6 months: he seeks children’s attention, initiates interactions, accepts unfamiliar people a lot easier, maintains a smaller distance between himself and others and makes eye contact.

Although Clifton has poor passive vocabulary, he follows simple instructions provided that those are accompanied by nonverbal means of communication. His speech development is at the level of producing chains of syllables. He uses “No” appropriately so as to express his disagreement, he sometimes uses “Yes” and “Give me”. Clifton initiates physical and emotional contact with his foster parents and their children as well as with the specialists working with him. He is especially attached to the foster father and the youngest daughter in the foster family. His interactions with other children have changed significantly – he plays with them for a long time and he is making attempts to cooperate with them.

More photos/file are available from his agency

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Dorie

The girl has a poor vocabulary, and therefore difficulties with understanding. She is active in words, conducts a dialogue, makes a simple description, but her statements are simplified and not always logical. Speech defect (interdental). She is an active child, shows great curiosity and wants to attract attention. She is willing to play and imitate but is less fond of organized games and has difficulty concentrating, as well as controlling and planning his activities.  She shows a bond with her siblings, especially her brother Nathan.

Nathan

Strong motor skills – correct for age. Walks, runs, overcomes obstacles. He participates in games, wants to attract attention and is upper active.

Perception and hand-eye coordination – within the normal range for age. The boy notices details, differentiates shapes and colors. Recognizes pictures, selects pairs. He connects the pictures. He places the blocks in the holes of the puzzle. Builds block structures – simple and complex at the age level. Slight speech delay. Social behavior and emotional zone – age appropriate. There is a great need for a relationship, attention and contact. Sometimes he is too impulsive and reacts hypersensitive.

Iggie

Low birth weight,  FAS

Strong motor skills – the boy walks independently, runs, overcomes obstacles with a slightly lower fluency. He imitates simple, single body movements, claps his hands, raises his hands up, stomps his feet, enjoys simple games with adults, keeps up with the group. He puts circles on the pyramid, builds a tower from blocks, creates a row (“trains”). He scribbles with a crayon without imitating the direction and shapes, but he likes to draw with adults.

Speech shaping – reacts to sounds from the environment, looks for the source of the sound, reacts to musical sounds. Active speech at the word stage – repeats many one and two-syllable words on command. Points to parts of the face, says the correct words (ear, eye, etc.).

Social behavior and the emotional sphere – visible improvement of contact and relationships, establishing contact without difficulty. He is cheerful, establishes basic relations with children, reacts positively to games, and imitates. Develops the basics of independence in everyday activities. Eat by himself.

 

The children experienced neglect and abuse before coming to the orphanage.

He is happy and  cheerful boy with a great need for individual forms of contact and no behavioral disturbance. He walks correctly, runs, overcomes obstacles, and willingly participates in  the physical games. He has the features of motor hyperactivity, but the boy is able to adjust the activity to the form of tasks. Recognizes pictures, selects them in pairs and combines them correctly. Easily places shapes in the holes of the puzzle. Builds simple and complex structures. Mild speech delay – he can name objects, activities, features. Expresses single sentences, also complex ones, but uses these sentences less well.

From an agency representative who met him June 2021: He is pure joy and his little giggle is contagious.  He is so sweet, always look happy and friendly.  D is getting wonderful care while he waits for a family!

Photos and videos are available through the agency.

Rory is a handsome, engaging, and active boy who is 3 years old. He came to the orphanage at around 6 months old, and they discovered he had already received surgery for a meningocele, and had a shunt placed for his hydrocephalus. Rory was able to sit unassisted, and before long was crawling. He is having casting procedures to correct his club foot, so he is temporarily using a wheelchair. You can see in his video that being sidelined from the action is almost more than he can stand! Rory has undescended testicles, which need to be corrected as soon as possible. His shunt has been trouble-free. Rory (without the cast) is able to stand with assistance, but is unable to walk at this time. He is incontinent. Rory has no cognitive delays, is a bright and social boy. Before his recent cast, he would get around by crawling and moving with his knees in a kneeling position. Physical therapy would be so beneficial for Rory! He needs a family! Video is available from the agency.

Andy is very persistent! He tries to reach for a toy that interests him. He is receiving good care and is monitored by a neurologist. Andy really needs someone who can show him what unconditional love looks like and care for him. We hope you can be the one to give him a loving home he deserves!

From a family that met him 3/16: He’s a good size for his age. I was allowed to hold him and he let me do the “mom sway”. I kept trying to get into his line of vision, but he kept averting his gaze. It seemed like he could possibly be purposefully avoiding eye contact. I was able to easily shift him to a seated position in my arms, though I don’t think he could sit unassisted.

Robby is delayed in all aspects of his development, but has begun to make small gains in learning . He will interact with caregivers and other children if an activity is interesting to him. His attention span when working on tasks has begun to increase. He enjoys playing in the sensory room. He learns best with multiple repetitions of a task.

His current agency has videos and pictures that can be shared with interested families

new pictures 4/19 & updated info 4/19:
He can walk with support; he plays with toys and other kids, and is active in communication. He already can swallow some food taking it from the spoon but mostly he eats with feeding tube.

He made a great progress last year and needs a family asap.

His special needs are related to the after affects of a head injury by his birth mother; he was severely beaten at early childhood. He requires permanent physical medicine and rehabilitation. He pulls his leg and doesn’t have full use of one of his hands.

He has a pretty good memory and good eyesight.

Ray is facing transfer to the institution.  Please share him so he can find his forever family!

February 2020 Update: Zack continues to grow healthy and strong! Ever smiley, Zack is the social butterfly of his home. He adores when visitors come over and he loves making new friends. When going on walks in the neighborhood, Zack will call people as he passes by with a friendly “hello” and huge grin. Zack’s caregiver and teachers often call him a “handsome hero.” He cannot get enough of it! Due to this fact he has begun brushing his hair to the side with his fingers and smiling up at people until they tell him how handsome he is. It is endearing. Zack is truly the sweetest boy. Anytime anyone is sick or seems sad he will ask to sit with them and attempts to cheer them up or offers prayer. He deeply desires to see all of his friends happy at all times.

In classes Zack is currently learning shapes, days of the week, numbers one through ten, and the first five letters of the English alphabet. In play time he often requests blocks in order to build towers. Once they are completed he will call his caregiver in order to proudly show off his creation. When he is not building blocks he loves coloring, making crafts and playing with toy cars. His new favorite sensory play is with shaving cream. On Christmas the staff in his home filled a plastic swimming pool with shaving cream so the children in his home could play with “snow.” Ever since he has begun asking for shaving cream daily in his sensory class.

Recently Zack was gifted a new wheelchair that allows him to more easily reach the wheels. He has begun learning how to push himself in his chair. He is thrilled! While he is still in the early stages of learning this skill, he is already showing amazing progress! Obtaining this skill will be huge in Zack’s independence! He loves practicing and will often request to be taken on walks. Zack often asks about his future family and is eager for the day that he is able to meet his mom and dad!

July 2019 update: Zack is the naughtiest and happiest boy in his home! He learned all his colours and is now learning his animals. He wants to be more independent! He can scoot backwards to get around by himself. He can make requests in both English and his local language and can translate English words to his local language for his caregiver! Zack loves his caregiver Ammama so much. He always scoots over to be near her and wants to be a part of what she is doing. One day he kept asking Ammama for a new shirt, so when she went on her monthly leave she brought him back a new blue shirt.

Robert is a sweet boy who loves to smile and has a contagious laugh. He happily greets his friends with a double high five and fist bump. Sometimes, he will also jump up for a big hug after.

He understands English as well as his native language. He can say a few words but often only speaks with people he knows well. He communicates non-verbally like with hand gestures and responds appropriately to yes/no questions by nodding his head. He comprehends everything but is a bit inconsistent with how he responds to directions. Some times this depends on the space he is in or the situation. For example, fast transitions are often a challenge for him so he may freeze until you give him the time to complete the task on his own.

His favorite place to be is playing outside. He will often choose to play on the swing, zipline or trampoline. He has been practicing kicking and throwing balls too.

Robert enjoys school. He has mastered drawing circles, tracing shapes, and writing his favorite letter “O.” He can write other letters too though. He also has one on one time for school to practice his letters and numbers. He gets really excited to show off his projects from school and when you compliment him.

Robert is gentle with younger children/babies and children with special needs. He loves to engage with them by singing or dancing with them and will try to hold them. He is such a happy boy with so much potential! We are praying his family finds him soon! Video available.

updated pics/video Aug 2016

From a family who met them July 2017:
Finley is precious and has the most adorable dimples! He walks very well and we are told has recently made incredible progress! The nannies love him and say is very friendly and helpful, and especially enjoys helping to set the table. He is soft spoken, but communicates well. We adored him!
Fern is doing so well! We were told he has improved dramatically with a change in medication. His smile just lights up the room! Updated pics, video and info 7/17!!

Brody walks independently. He is able to navigate stairs and playground equipment at the park. Most of Brody’s delays seem to be related to being unable to hear and communicate his wants/needs. For example, the foster family reports that he is not aggressive, but he does demonstrate frustration at being unable to communicate with them to express his thoughts and what he wants. He uses some gestures to communicate, such as opening the refrigerator to express that he is hungry. He is supposed to be under the care of a specialist to work with him now that he has the cochlear implant (and to continue to develop his communication skills), but this has not been consistent due to COVID restrictions and the fact that the family must travel to another town for Brody to see the specialist. The foster family does report that Brody seems to be able to hear now that he has the implant and they have seen improvements with the implant in place. Brody does attend a day program for children with disabilities and has recently become more interested in the other children.

Sweetie!!

He has a brother born in 2012 who was placed in a different orphanage.  A prospective family should be approved for two — they may be required to be adopted together.

These brothers must be adopted together!

They have a younger sibling who is not available.

Despite his diagnosis of infantile cerebral palsy Teddy walks independently. He climbs on and gets off the bed independently. Teddy examines objects with hands, eyes and mouth. He is able to transfer objects from one hand to another. He is able to hold two toys in his hands and knock them in one another.

When the foster mother leaves the room Teddy would start crying and looking for her.

He likes playing with musical toys and shows excitement when they make sounds. He also looks at and likes some of the TV commercials.

The foster mother feeds Teddy with a spoon and some improvement has been reported, as he is now eating solid food. Teddy loves bananas, biscuits with milk, homemade soups and sops.

Anders currently lives in a small Eastern European country. He is happiest listening to soft music or playing with toys that make sound! Anders is described as a happy, calm child. Tests show that Anders has learning and motor delays, as well as occasional seizures.

Kellan is an adorable little guy who has just turned 3 years old! He came into care as an infant and was found to have ectrodactyly affecting both hands and both feet. His report is not up to date, and his agency hopes to get an update soon. When Kellan was about 12 months old, he was very social, and able to use his hands to grab and play with toys. Kellan is a comical little one…when he was just a baby, he would look into the mirror and raise and lower his eyebrows, making faces at himself! This sweet little guy needs a family!

Ollie is now living in foster care. He is physically well developed. He has good coordination of his hands and feet. He walks without falling, and can run as well. Climbs up and goes down by the stairs when holding an adult or the railing. He can play with cubes by putting them and taking them out of a cup, but has some problems manipulating with smaller objects. He cannot eat and dress by himself yet, but does make attempts. He understood almost everything and fulfils small tasks. He likes playing hide and seek. He hides behind the door and when he is found, he laughs and stomps his feet. He is interested in musical cartoons and copies the movements of the actors.

*There is a younger child that is believed to be Ollie’s younger brother. However, they are NOT listed as needing to be adopted together. The other child is listed as Ozzie.

Ozzie has decreased muscle tone. He can’t walk, but has recently started standing up in his crib with support. He smiles and has positive emotions when interacting with adults and when he is with the other children. He pronounces combinations of sounds. He laughs when playing peek-a-boo.

*There is an older child that is believed to be Ozzie’s older brother. However, they are NOT listed as needing to be adopted together. The other child is listed as Ollie.

sweet smile!

Andres has a sister who must be adopted with him!

Total of 6 siblings: the other 4 siblings are 14 (a boy), 12 (a girl), 10 (a girl) and 8 (a boy). The older 4 have been to the US for hosting.

What a great smile!