Post Institutionalized Issues: Internationally Adopted Children
Parents who adopt children internationally, often deal with issues and behaviors not seen in biological children, or in children adopted domestically. Many children living in orphanages develop what are called post institutionalized (PI) issues and behaviors.
Many doctors in America, Canada, Australia, and other western developed countries are unfamiliar with post institutionalized issues. In America, for example, orphanages were eliminated nearly 30 years ago, so generally the only doctors familiar with PI issues have been in practice for a long time.
Listed below are some behaviors associated with PI children. Some children have almost none of these, other children have quite a number of them. If you're considering, or have adopted from an orphanage, be aware of these potential behaviors. Some of them are overcome by time and minimal interventions by parents. Others require assistance from professionals.
Rocking. Repetitive rocking back and forth when agitated, nervous, or tired.
Head banging. Banging their head on the floor or wall when frustrated, irritated, or angry.
Poor transitions. Inability to change from one activity to another.
Not asking for help. Proceeding with a frustrating activity without asking a parent or adult to help.
Trouble going to sleep. Difficulty falling asleep. Difficulty staying asleep. Nightmares and uneasy sleep patterns.
Easily over-stimulated. Agitated and/or overwhelmed by any activity outside the daily routine.
Poor cause and effect thinking. Developmentally behind peers in understanding that certain behaviors and actions incur consequences, natural and/or logical.
Overly-cute. Attention-seeking behaviors to gain attention of adults and peers.
Overly affectionate. Asking for attention, hugs, food, attention, and kisses from strangers.
Poor language skills. Language skills are often behind their peers, even when accounting for the time it takes to acquire their second language.
Not toilet trained. Orphanage children are not taught to pay attention to their bodies needs and signals, but are seated on the toilet at regular intervals.
Sensory integration disorder. Overly sensitive to sounds, smells, textures, movement.
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD). Inability to trust and attach. Manipulative, controlling, sometimes violent behaviors.
No pain. Upon falling, bumping, or tripping, they show no indication of pain: no tears.
RESOURCES
Parents Network for Post Institutionalized Children
Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children
Association for Research in International Adoption
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