Other Special Needs Boys, 6-9

Keller: Is there anything cuter than a little 3 year old boy in a train shirt with yellow sleeves?  Keller had just turned 3 when agency staff met him in November. He has some developmentally delays, but seems to be doing really well. He may have some mild hearing loss, there is further testing scheduled. He likes playing with toy cars and playing outside. He communicates in short sentences and can follow 1 step directions. He scribbles with a crayon and made a nice stack of blocks for us. Keller has an older sister who is also available for adoption.

Kelsey:

She did well on all of the tasks asked of her. She even did some simple multiplication!

Kelsey told us her favorite color is pink and she loves bread. Her favorite animal is a water buffalo, which she had recently seen at the zoo. She likes playing outside, and when she gets to play frisbee in PE class at school. Kelsey is in the 2nd grade and her foster parents told us she especially excels in Mandarin and math.

Kelsey has been living with her current foster family for about year. Foster mom and dad both came to meet with us – which is rare, we usually just get to meet foster mom. It was clear that Kelsey has a good, trusting relationship with her foster parents – who we learned are both social workers! Kelsey has had a bit of a tough past, but it seemed to us that she is in a wonderful place now. Her foster parents confirmed that they have seen positive changes in Kelsey throughout the last few months.

Update 2022:

Keller is described as a lively, cuddly child.  To view his original post, click here.  Keller was seen by virtual SuperKids in February 2022 and wow, he has developed into a happy kid, loving to learn new things and share his knowledge!  Shy and reserved around the video camera, he was hesitant to sing for us but did hum the tunes of Paw Patrol while playing and interacting.  Some of his favorite cartoons are Paw Patrol, Robocar Poli, Masha and the Bear and Shimajiro!

Keller is almost 5 1/2 years old and learning in kindergarten class.  He is now able to participate in sports, ride a bike, paint, build towers, and enjoys watching cartoons.  He is receiving early intervention services and has an IEP, with goals of maintaining focus while in groups, improving fine motor skills and interpersonal interactions- all goals he is working hard to achieve!  He receives weekly speech therapy.

On a recent outing, Keller was able to go to Ocean World to watch the dolphin and sea lion show.  He really enjoyed this experience and seems to enjoy learning about animals and nature!  How amazing would it be for him to be home next years with his forever family, enjoying theme parks, aquariums, and the zoo?!

Keller is progressing in multiple areas, including language and motor skills – he enjoys singing songs, counting to 30, and working on fine motor skills such as using scissors.  Keller has received speech services for since 2019.  While he is working on various goals, there have been gains as he is able to shown ability to problem solve, and speaks in more complete sentences!  Keller responds to reward and encouragements in his day to day life.  He is encouraged by  receiving stickers when he learns something new!

Keller has quite the sweet tooth! He likes cakes, cookies and pudding.  He shared that they are yummy treats and shares his treats with his caregivers.   Keller wants to bake and eat cookies with you!

Kelsey: Kelsey will be nine years old soon and is still waiting for her family. When we met with her, she kept a steady smile on her face and appeared to be in good spirits. She told us that her favorite class in school is P.E. and she finds English class to be the most difficult. It certainly isn’t easy learning a second language, but she put her skills to use saying ‘thank you’ several times during our visit. We learned that Kelsey’s favorite sports are dodgeball and frisbee, and summertime is her favorite time of year. Kelsey showed off her knowledge by correctly answering our multiplication math problems without hesitation. Kelsey’s favorite colors are yellow and blue, and she told us she wants to be a dancing police officer when she grows up! Kelsey is a medically healthy and active young girl waiting for the loving family she deserves. She has been diagnosed with ADHD which is controlled with medication.

Introducing Kellet! Kellet is a medically healthy 6-year-old boy who is active and very curious about new people and environments. He likes playing with younger children and is able to interact and share toys with peers. Kellet likes adventures and challenges and takes initiative to play with others. He has age-appropriate gross and fine motor skills; he can pour water without spilling, draw meaningful pictures, run and climb stairs without rails for support, throw and catch a ball, and much more! He also has good verbal expressions and age-appropriate language development. He can count from 1 to over 100! Kellet can also engage in back-and-forth conversation and tell a story by looking at pictures. He sleeps deeply at night and eats the same food as adults for three meals a day. We hear that Kellet has good focus at school and can follow class progress and teachers’ instructions.

Update May 2022:

Kellet was seen as a part of virtual SuperKids in February 2022.  Kellet recently turned 7!  Kellet is in first grade and his favorite subject is Math!  He is doing well in school and enjoys his friend group.  His social worker shares that she is impressed by his patience and involvement with activities during their time together.

Kellet shows his imagination through art and storytelling as he recently drew a picture for his best friend, who is a mermaid and lives in the sea!  Kellet expressed a desire to also be a mermaid, so he can be with her all the time!  How sweet is that?!  Kellet enjoys imaginary play through dress up with peers and enjoys playing with Legos.  Kellet is enthusiastic about life, playing games, and has a high level of attentiveness.  He lives in an area where he is able to hike and run in the outdoors- activities that he appears to enjoy!

Kellet has foster siblings.  When they are available, Kellet enjoys spending time with them.

Myles was just starting to wake up at the beginning of our Zoom call and as his caregivers slowly nudged and tickled him, he showed us the biggest smile and sweetest little giggle. Four-year-old Myles is not speaking, but we learned from his caregivers that he is a quite boy who prefers not to be disturbed. His favorite toy is his teether, he likes being tickled, and dislikes being moved around.

Myles diet consists of mashed foods, his favorite being fruits.  Myles spends most of his time in his bed or in a support chair. Because he is only allotted one therapeutic device per year, he doesn’t currently have a child walker. With more opportunities to put weight on his legs, he may possibly have the potential for assisted walking in the future.

Myles was born prematurely and has been diagnosed with global developmental delays, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hydrocephalus and hearing impairment. Myles resides in a nursing home and receives 30 minutes of occupational and physical therapy at a local hospital each week. The agency has much more information on Myles! Could your family be the one he needs?

Praise is a sweet boy with lots of love to give! His story is sure to touch your heart! He adores his caregivers and has been very responsive to the therapy he has received so far. He has been diagnosed with global developmental delay, but has made great strides in his health and development since his arrival at the baby home. The changes in him are nothing short of praiseworthy! It is clear that with the love of a family and continued therapy, Praise will thrive in life. Could you give this precious boy all the love and care he deserves?

David was declared clinically dead at birth and resuscitated. He currently lives in a group home. He reaches for hanging objects and can hold a toy for brief periods of time. He is very responsive to caregivers. He smiles and shows pleasure when spoken to. He tracts objects and tries to focus on people who are talking to him and objects being presented to him. He rolls from his back to stomach in his bed.

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.

He understands everything and talks back; he follows instructions. He is waiting to get his family.

Sweet baby boy!

He just started talking, and his stature is pretty small.

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!!

These brothers must be adopted together!

They have a younger sibling who is not available.

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.

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.

Raydor was previously listed on Reece’s Rainbow as Randy.

Raydor’s birth mother was addicted to Heroin and took Methadone during pregnancy. Raydor was born premature and spent the first 5 months of his life in the hospital. Raydor knows his alphabet, numbers and colors in both his native language and English. He can do simple addition problems (single digit plus single digit and single digit plus double digit). He speaks in 2 word sentences and memorizes poems. He loves to build houses and other things with Legos and will stay focused on this task for long periods of time. He plays independently and with other children. He enjoys music and often tries to imitate melodies. Raydor has some behaviors that are commonly seen in children on the Autism spectrum. He has not had any type of formal evaluation for Autism. 

Nathan enjoys arts and crafts, playing with toys, and listening to music. Those who know him, describe Nathan as easy going and gets along well with others. Nathan has an outgoing personality and enjoys talking with people.

Nathan is a second grader in elementary school. His teacher stated he is considerate and gets along well with his peers. Nathan receives one-on-one tutoring to help him with his homework, and he is taking additional one-on-one language lessons with his teacher at school.

Naomi’s favorite activities include listening to stories, playing games,  playing with toy cars, running and jumping rope. Those who know Naomi describe her as shy at first and takes time when she is getting to know someone new. Once she has built a relationship with someone, she is friendly and enjoys interacting with them.

Naomi is receiving occupational therapy for fine motor delays and speech therapy for her language delays.  Her speech therapist mentioned she has made vast improvements on pronunciation since starting therapy.  At school her teacher has Naomi read passages aloud from her textbook to help strengthen her pronunciation of words.

Naomi is a first grader in elementary school. Her teacher stated she has good learning skills, and she gets along well with her peers.

Nathan and Naomi live at the same children’s home, where they are able to continue to have a close relationship. Nathan shares a room with 3 other boys between the ages of 6-12 years old, and Naomi shares a room with 3 other girls between the ages of 6-11 years old.

Are you a family that can give the necessary time to build a trusting bond with Naomi? Give Nathan one-on-one time to help him focus on tasks at hand?

Brock is a very social boy, who likes to kick a ball. Brock has continued to develop and grow. Agency staff met Brock in July of 2022! We hope his forever family will see him soon! The agency has additional information available for inquiring families.

VIDEO:
https://vimeo.com/maaspecialkids/maa-brock
Password: Adoptmaa

Pattie has FAS, hypothyroidism and mental delay.

She completed 3rd grade and needs help with her classes. Her caregivers describe her as kind and nice girl who smiles a lot. She has a positive attitude with her peers and adults. She is very close with her brother.

Paul graduated from kindergarten this year. His health is good, but he has a speech impairment and minor developmental delay.  He likes to play outside and enjoys soccer and biking. He loves art and is making progress with learning.

They are nice children who are dreaming of having parents and will do well in a family.

John: He presents difficulties in cognitive processes such as: verbal comprehension, visual space, fluid reasoning, which prevents him from learning according to his peers.

He receives classes and educational support under the tutelage of the educators, allowing him to reinforce each area of development. The child receives constant medical check-ups. Since his admission he receives psychological attention, according to the emotional and psychological needs of the child.

He and his sister have a good emotional relationship. He complies with norms and rules within the Center, respects his peers and the staff that works in the Institution.

Jane: The girl receives the necessary medical care, has been assessed in several areas of medicine such as: Traumatology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, Neurosurgeon, Clinical Psychology, performing frequent health checks, in June 2018 she was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, like her brother, in the case of a hereditary disease. The care must be thorough, attend medical check-ups and use the creams prescribed by the specialist, it is possible that this disease will affect future learning.

From the assessment process carried out on the student, she shows difficulties in her cognitive processing skills, evidencing immaturity in learning. Her learning style is slow.

She has a good understanding and develops school activities correctly. It does not make it difficult for her to relate to her peers, she likes to talk and also communicate her feelings and emotions. Respect her peers and staff as well as abide by the rules and regulations of the Special Protection Center. She is attached to her brother.

He has a brother in a different orphanage born in 2007. They must be adopted together!

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.

He cannot talk. He permanently uses anti-convulsants. He can feed himself without assistance.

new pictures & updated info April 2019 :
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.

At age of 2 months old he survived a surgery for heart defect

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Izak has two older siblings, same region but far away; they must be adopted together!

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Brenner:
Communicating hydrocephalus
Disorder of brain, unspecified
Portal hypertension
Bilateral inguinal hernia
Other congenital valgus deformities of feet
Congenital tracheomalacia
Cardiomyopathy, unspecified

Braun:
Disorder of brain, unspecified
Unilateral inguinal hernia
Hypertrophy of tonsils
Other non-diabetic proliferative retinopathy
anemia
Heart disease, unspecified

They have a sister, born 2013, she lives with family.

By his medical statement his psychological development does not match his age

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.

He has 2 siblings – 17-year old sister and 12-year old brother; Due to his special needs, he may be able to be separated from his siblings, for adoption.