One of the first longitudinal adoption studies of placement of special needs children.

This study, done over a four-year period, focuses on children who are older than infants when placed for adoption, children who are members of a sibling group, and children with physical, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. There are an estimated 35,000 such children each year who need assistance in placement. The book explores issues of separation from siblings, adoption experiences of children who had been physically or sexually abused, and social support. The purpose of this book is to provide empirically grounded knowledge and information that will help social workers practice more effectively with special needs placements.