Autism, Foster Care, and Adoption: Building Permanent Families Through Understanding and Experience

At Let It Be Us, we often see patterns that remind us just how important thoughtful, child-centered recruitment can be. One pattern has remained remarkably consistent: at any given time, approximately 10% of the children and teens we are recruiting foster and/or adoptive families for are on the autism spectrum. Interestingly, about 10% of the licensed foster and adoptive families in our database tell us they are open to parenting children on the autism spectrum, often because of their own parenting experience, professional background, or personal lived experience.

To me, that isn’t a coincidence – it is a reminder that experience creates empathy, and empathy creates opportunity.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 in 31 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[1] Many of these children thrive when surrounded by adults who understand their unique strengths, communicate with patience, and celebrate progress rather than perfection.

Too often, conversations about autism focus only on challenges. As a parent of a child on the autistic spectrum, I believe we should also celebrate the remarkable gifts many children on the spectrum bring to the world. These children may demonstrate exceptional honesty, deep loyalty, remarkable attention to detail, incredible memories, creativity, unique problem-solving abilities, and passionate interests that become lifelong strengths. Every child is different, and every child deserves to be seen for who they are-not simply for a diagnosis. Personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed raising my child through all of the interesting phases, through school, and now through employment. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Professionally, I feel a responsibility to speak out on their behalf and to expand our thinking past the diagnoses and lean into the utterly amazing gifts that these children bring to the world. What a wonderful responsibility. 

The encouraging news is that families today have more support than ever before. Evidence-based therapies, early intervention, educational supports, occupational and speech therapy, social skills programs, and behavioral services continue to expand across Illinois and throughout the country.[2] In addition, families have access to an ever-growing collection of digital resources, online parent communities, telehealth services, virtual coaching, educational apps, and webinars that make support available regardless of where they live.[3]

At Let It Be Us, we have the privilege of meeting licensed foster parents who tell us, “We’ve done this before,” or “Our own child is on the spectrum,” or “I work with children with autism every day.” Those families become extraordinary resources for children who simply need someone who understands them.

If you are a licensed foster or adoptive family with experience parenting or supporting children on the autism spectrum, we would love to include you in our Illinois statewide and national database. Your willingness to be considered for children who may benefit from your experience could create a life-changing permanency opportunity. Join our database here.

We also invite licensed families and child welfare professionals to join one of our live webinars to learn more about partnering with Let It Be Us and how we connect waiting children with the families best equipped to meet their individual needs. Visit www.letitbeus.org/events to register for an upcoming session.

One of the things I love most about child welfare is that there truly is a family for every child. Sometimes the perfect family isn’t one that knows everything – it’s one that understands, is willing to learn, and believes in a child’s future.

At Let It Be Us, we will continue to recruit those families every day. Because every child deserves to be understood. Every child deserves to belong. And every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a permanent, loving family that welcomes and understands them. 

Are you an Illinois child welfare professional in need of placement for a youth with the goal of adoption or substitute care pending termination of parental rights? Let It Be Us manages the Adoption Listing Service of Illinois under a contract with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Learn more here and complete this form to work with us.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder.https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pediatrics. 2020;145(1):e20193447.
3. Autism Speaks Resource Guide

Dr. Susan A. McConnell, DSW, MBA

Dr. Susan A. McConnell is the Founder and Executive Director of Let It Be Us, an Illinois licensed child welfare agency with the mission of providing collaborative, innovative solutions of effective recruitment and placement within Illinois foster care and adoption. Susan has an MBA from DePaul University and a Doctorate Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California, where her work focused on permanency within child welfare.  She is the Chair of the Permanency Committee of the Illinois Statewide Foster Care Advisory Council, appointed by the Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in 2017. She is also an adoptive parent with over 30 years of open adoption experience. She can be reached at susanmcconnell@letitbeus.org.