Special needs children with a history of maltreatment often have behavioral and emotional difficulties that pose challenges for adoptive parents. In response to the need for support services for adoptive parents and children, this project used stories to foster empathy and enhance communication in special needs adoptive families. Eight families, including fourteen parents and seventeen children, participated in the program. An evaluative survey indicated that the program prompted parent–child discussions, provided support to adoptive parents, and helped parents view the adoption experience from their children”s perspective. The findings suggest that stories can be used to address the challenging emotional issues confronting adoptive families of special needs children.

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