Adoption and foster placement

Children in foster or adoptive care often face multiple adversities that put them at risk for problems in social, emotional, and behavioral adjustment. Some of the risks are experienced prior to placement into foster or adoptive care, such as drug exposure, maltreatment, and institutional care, whereas others are a result of placement, such as changing caregivers. Adopted and foster children face challenges in formation of new attachments and in the regulation of biological and behavioral systems. Subsequent care has significant effects on the ability of children to adapt. Interventions and legislation are discussed that target these populations.