Outcomes for drug-exposed children four years post-adoption

Prenatally drug-exposed (n = 220) and not drug-exposed (n = 201) children adopted as infants and older children were compared four years after adoption on a range of outcome indicators. The median age at assessment was 54 months. Drug-exposed and not drug-exposed children were alike on most outcome indicators. Parental satisfaction with the adoption was high and equivalent for parents of drug-exposed and not drug-exposed children. Especially close relationships between parents of drug-exposed children suggest that these children are able to reciprocate affection. Taken together, these findings add to the growing body of evidence that drug-exposed children will respond positively to nurturing environments and that adoption of drug-exposed children is as satisfying as adoption of other children.