c5439

Child's name: Michelle
Number: C5439
Birthdate: 10/90
State: Washington
Listed: 3/04, Updated 7/07

If you have completed an adoption homestudy and would like to have your information forwarded to this child's worker, contact us.

Legally free, MICHELLE (10/90) is a sweet girl, who is socially, emotionally, and cognitively much younger than her teenage years. She does have some typical teenage behaviors, including wanting to hang out with her friends, wanting to be liked by peers, and having a more than average interest in boys.

Michelle also has a strong desire to feel connected and to be part of a permanent family. She especially enjoys being participating in family activities in her foster home. She is game for all sorts of things. Michelle loves animals, too, and would like to have a dog someday. For the most part, she is compliant (and accepting of gentle reminders and redirection when needed). She gets along with adults and with younger children.

Tall with a beautiful smile, Michelle is currently living in a foster home with a number of girls who have special needs similar to hers. Michelle has been in this home for a few years and has formed attachments to her foster parents. While they are not a permanent resource for her, it is likely that she will remain in their home until an adoptive family is identified for her.

While Michelle generally enjoys good physical, she has epilepsy which is controlled with medication. Developmentally, Michelle is much like an eight year old and her behaviors are typical of a child of that age who has suffered a lot of trauma early in life. Michelle's foster parents and social worker believe that her most challenging behaviors are associated with her cognitive delays that adversely impact her emotional, social, and behavioral development. Michelle is able to perform most self-care activities.

While Michelle usually gives her best in school, this past year she had a teacher she did not like very much and challenged the teacher’s authority in the classroom. Michelle has special academic supports. In the past, Michelle’s biggest academic challenge was her incessant need to talk. Academically, Michelle is performing at about a first grade level and will require a family who is able to be a strong advocate for her educational and vocational needs.

Michelle will do well as an only child or as the oldest sibling to much younger brothers or sisters. In addition to understanding her delays, it will be important for her new folk(s) to have a good grasp of how neglect, abuse, and parental substance abuse impact on the well-being of a young child with special needs. Michelle does best in homes with an active mother figure, so single moms are encouraged to apply and two parent families are too.

Subsidy and Purchase of Service may be available.

Return to Washington's Waiting Children index or see next child in Washington index.

View another state index: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon.