Resource Library 4 Kaz Adoption

Luggage Allowances

2008-03-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

Regarding flying inside Kaz borders, you can carry 20kg for free, and you will pay $2.50 per kg over (20kg=44lbs). Here is a site for metric conversion if you want to figure out your luggage for yourself. Also found:

BMI British Midland (London)

Here is the BMI site regarding luggage allowances
Checked luggage: 2 pieces, max total weight 20kg (44lbs)
1 piecemax size 55x40x23cm, plus one personal item
All passengers travelling to and from the UK are not permitted to check in any bag that weighs in excess of 32kg (70lbs).
Checked baggage on flights to the USA and Caribbean should have maximum dimensions (length + width + height) of 158cm (62ins).
Excess baggage fees: £7/€10.50 per kg outbound, and £7/€10.50 per kg inbound (about $7.50 pound). Euro/Dollar conversion today 1€ = $1.56

KLM (going through Amsterdam)

Here is the KLM site regarding luggage allowances
And KLM site regarding excess baggage fees - this site is quoted in Euros. Looks like its EUR 30 per kg (1 kg=approx 2.2 lbs)/ (approx $21.25 per lb). You can get a 30% discount by checking in online.
Euro/Dollar conversion today 1€ = $1.56
Economy allowances: 2 pieces, eachmax. 23 kg (50 lbs)
max. 158 cm (3-dimensions)

Lufthansa (through Frankfort)

Here is the Lufthansa site regarding luggage allowances
Economy Class: 2 pieces, 23 kg each to and from USA and Canada
I believe that overage cost is €30*/kg (approx $21.25 per lb). Euro/Dollar conversion today 1€ = $1.56
Max size per piece: 22" X 16" X 8"

Employer Adoption Benefits

2008-03-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

I recently had a meeting with the president of the company I work for, and made a proposal requesting that they provide formal adoption benefits to all employees (and of course me in particular.) I essentially asked for benefits equal to what biological moms are offered. I should hear an answer sometime this month.

Anyone out there who would like to encourage your employer to consider adoption benefits, I found a boatload of helpful information on these web sites:

http://www.adoptionfriendlyworkplace.com/

http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/

- Regina

Childhood Disabilities: Early Identification and Intervention

2008-03-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

Coping.org - this site can be translated easily into Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, or Spanish

Floor Time Activities

Resources for Behavioral Issues

2008-02-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

Institute of Child Development

Newsweek's Adoption How To: Resources recommended for families interested in learning more about how to effectively parent troubled adopted children.

Interesting sites about adoption

2008-01-27T19:48:00.000-08:00

Exploring Adoption Blog

About Lifebooks

2008-01-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

What is a Lifebook

Adoption Lifebooks website. This site also offersa Free Adoption Lifebook Newsletter - Sign up for it here

Yahoo Listserv and Group on Lifebooks

The Backwards Lifebook: Using a different technique makes a book that is accessible to all who need to use it. - Free and downloadable.

Attachment Therapies

2008-01-19T17:54:00.000-08:00

Therapy treatments:

Reports on various forms of Attachment Therapy

Theraplay

Library Search for Child and Welfare Issues

Family Attachment Narrative Therapy, about and links

Family Attachment Narrative Therapy

Books related to Attachment:

The Dr Sears line of baby books teaches concrete ways to promote attachment with your child. It is not especially geared toward adoption but is very helpful.

Attaching in Adoption by Deborah D. Gray is another great book that discusses attaching with your child.

Hague Convention

2008-01-18T21:15:00.000-08:00

Article about Hague Convention on Adoptive Families Magazine website

List of Accredited, Temporarily Accredited, and Approved Hague Adoption Service Providers (adoption agencies), as listed by the US Secretary of State.

Intercountry Adoption Section of Hague Convention
Transition Cases and the Hague Adoption Convention
Hague Full Text
Hague FAQs
ETHICA: Voice for ethical adoption

On Wednesday, 12 December 2007, the United States of America deposited its instrument of ratification of the Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which it had already signed on 31 March 1994. In accordance with its Article 46(2)(a), the 1993 Convention will enter into force for the US on 1 April 2008. What is the Hague Convention? Officially known as The Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption , it is an international adoption law created to:

Ensure that adoption takes place in the best interest of the child
Ensure that adoption processes respect the fundamental rights of the child
Prevent the abduction, sale or trafficking of children
Once a country has signed and ratified the Convention, it means that it has agreed follow certain intercountry adoption rules.

Some countries have signed and ratified the convention; some have not. Others are at various stages in the process. This means that intercountry adoption practice varies according to whether the two countries involved are "Hague" countries or not. Several countries that are common points of origin for children adopted by Americans have not agreed to the treaty, including Vietnam, Russia, Ukraine and Ethiopia. Here is a list of the 68 States / Regional Economic Integration Organisations are Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. Kazakhstan is not one of them.

Articles on the Hague Convention:

Interesting fact: Each year, the Department of State publishes a report listing the top 20 countries of origin for U.S. adoptions in the preceding year. Over the last 15 years, 40 different countries were in the Top 20 Countries of Origin for U.S. families. Of these, 13 are currently closed or effectively closed (meaning that the number of children being adopted has fallen to 26 or less each year including orphan petitions filed by immediate relatives or those living in the foreign country. Former numbers ranged from 79-1122 per country, with an average of 306). An additional 4 countries are closed, reportedly temporarily, to investigate concerns or establish new procedures.

Here is a current (Jan 2008) list of "Hague" countries, effective October 2006. Note that Kazakhstan, a country that does not allow referrals, is not included in this list. US implementation of Hague will not affect adoptions from non-Hague countries. I would expect that PAPs would continue to travel overseas blind and to select a child once in-country (if their agency is abiding by Kazakh law). If a current non-Hague country decided to sign and implement the Hague, I imagine (just guessing here) that there would be a period of time during implementation when adoptions may be somewhat impacted, but that adoptions would then resume under the rules for Hague.

Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Guinea, Hungary,Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand,Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay, Venezuela

Positive Adoption Language

2008-01-16T17:25:00.000-08:00

Language is a powerful way to convey positive adoption messages. Below are some most common terms which can unintentionally denigrate an adoptive family, along with a preferred term. With practice, they will become more natural, and will convey a positive attitude about adoption.

Often heard -Preferred

Unwanted child - Waiting Child

Foreign child - Internationally-adopted, child/child born in ____

Adoptee - Adopted person

“What a lucky child” - “Children are a blessing”

Keep a child - choose to parent

Adopted child* - Child or (son/daughter)

Give up a child - Plan an adoption

Do you have any of your own children? - All children in a family are their parents’ own children. If necessary to distinguish children born into a family, preferred term is birth child.

*Adopted is only a qualifier if adoption is relevant to the discussion

Stolen from "A" is for Adoption

More is available here

and here

Sleep Issues!

2008-01-08T21:19:00.000-08:00

Sleep and Adoption from the Center for Adoption Medicine from the University of Washington Medical Center

Children's Medical Group page on bedtime issues

Potty Issues: Get the scoop on the poop!

2008-01-08T21:16:00.000-08:00

Toilet Training Guides and Quick Facts About Potty Training from the Center for Adoption Medicine at University of Washington Medical Center

Early Intervention (National Program )

2008-01-08T03:18:00.000-08:00

The National Early Intervention Program is a federal entitlement for all children under the age of three under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. In some states services are free, in others there are co-payments for services. Read more about Early Intervention

Great Advice from Kaz Adoption Families

2008-01-06T09:45:00.000-08:00

Advice from the Bilbros Traveled 2007 to Almaty.

Advice from Stacey: 2007 to Semey. Sorry, you'll have to scroll down to Sept 18th posting entitled "Helpful Hints"

Almaty Advice from the Woods and bonus - Advice Addendum

Gena and James Lloyd recommend:

Take a cheap umbrella stroller as they are expensive there. Most everyone will tell you that. We took a pack too to carry him but it turned out that we got large 8mth old who weighed much too much to carry. The stroller can be used for entertainment, feeding chair and is invaluable in the airport. If you get there and dont need it what's the worst, you leave it there.
Take mix and match clothes and just wear them over and over again, they do. That will leave more room for other stuff and the washers will wear out your clothes there in due time.
Do take little kleenex packs as TP is rare in public or you may pay "as you go" seriously you get like 4 tissues for 10cents. I got sick, food poisoning, and had to pay for TP each time I entered the bathroom. I even had the translator tell the lady and she didn't care.
You do need to take over the counter meds like Pepto, Asprin etc and for the baby oral gel teething swabs came in real handy.

PlaceMaker: Packing lists! Jennifer M

After getting home: School issues

2008-01-06T03:39:00.000-08:00

Download various articles:

Adoptive Families Magazine has lots of links to articles and handouts, with sample letters and how to handle trickly school assignments
Education and Internationally Adopted Children: Working Collaboratively With Schools
International Adoption: Information for Parents and Educators (2004) National Association of School Psychologists
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute's Policy & Practice Papers
article from Teaching Tolerance magazine article "Out of the Shadows"

Transitioning from Home to a School Setting:

Planning Transitions to Preschool

Helping family and friends understand about adoption:

Institute for Adoption Information offers a brochure Why It Is Important To Understand Adoption

Helping teacher understand about adoption and curriculum:

An Educator's Guide toAdoption Brochure -its around $8
Teaching Tolerance Magazine
"A" Is for Adoption: a teachers’ pocket guide to adoption issues in the classroom at Cradle.org
order the book Adoption and the Schools from Families Adopting In Response
order DVD/Video "I Wonder…” Teenagers Talk About Being Adopted from Families Adopting In Response
Adoptive Families Magazine has lots of links to articles and handouts, with sample letters and how to handle trickly school assignments

Parenting Resources: Prevention

2008-01-06T03:32:00.000-08:00

The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida is a private, nonprofit corporation whose mission is to identify, fund, support and evaluate innovative prevention and early intervention programs that improve the health, education and life outcomes of Florida's at-risk children and families.

Founded in 1980, The MENTOR Network is a national network of local human services providers offering an array of quality, community-based services to adults and children with developmental disabilities or acquired brain injury; to children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral and medically complex challenges; and to elders in need of home care. The Mentor Program's Early Intervention Program Service Provider finder by US state.

Also please view postings on:

Oye! traveling home & adjusting

2008-01-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

Flying with Kids's website

Transitional issues for when you get home:

The International Adoption medical program of the University of Minnesota's Transition Issues: Sleep for International Adoption Children This addresses what to do during the first weeks home when the exhaustion of jet lag may be the cause of sleep interruptions for both parent and child.

International Adoption Child Health, General

2008-01-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

Here are links to State by state listing to find an International Adoption Doctor:

by the American Academy of Pediatrics
by the University of Minnesota
by Adopt Vietnam
The majority of your communications with the IA doctor will be from out of country, so don't get hung up on having a local doctor unless you want.

Links to Links on Adoption Health Issues

Lots of articles to read:

Start here: Tons of articles and information to download from the University of Minnesota
Links to articles on Adoption Medicine from Adoptive Families Magazine
Four articles by Deborah Borchers, M.D., walk parents through evaluating a referral, preparing for the adoption trip, and completing a post-adoption medical assessment.
Several articles about all sorts of medical topics at Adoptiondoctors.com Medical Archives

General Research:

The Association for Research in International Adoption (ARIA) website is a central location that seeks to disseminate the findings of research to the international adoption community. The site also contains links for adoptive parents to learn more about the issues that may impact internationally adopted children.
An overview of the impact of institutionalization on internationally adopted children "Raising the Post-Institutionalized Child" on the Neuropsychological and Family Therapy AssociatesProviding Comprehensive Assessment and Innovative Treatment. This website also has articles on Institutional Autism and Neuropsychological Evaluation and Rehabilitation of the Post Institutionalized Child

International Adoption Doctor's links to health information:

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Links to General Health of Children:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2007 General Health Information Clearinghouse
2008 Information Centers and Clearinghouses Home This document is compiled annually by the National Health Information Center, which is a service of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), Office of Public Health and Science, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Updates to this document are available on the Internet at http://www.health.gov/NHIC/Pubs/. To order printed copies of this publication, contact the ODPHP Communication Support Center, P.O. Box 37366, Washington, DC 20013-7366; fax (301) 468-3028.

Visit the post on Growthcarts and Developmental Milestones

Visit the post on High-Risk health issues that address RAD, FAS, SPD, etc

Adoption Listservs

2008-01-03T17:09:00.001-08:00

Single Mothers by Choice

FAS Adopt listserv for families that have adopted children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrom. More chat groups for FAS

Russian Phrases (stolen from Catalina's blog)

2008-01-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

Preevyet ("hi" - much shorter and easier to say than hello which is zdras-vootye)
Dobre den / ootra / vecher (if you prefer something more formal - "good day, morning, evening")
Kak dela? ("how's it going?")
Normalno (standard answer to #3 meaning "fine")
Kak zavoot? / menya zavoot... ("what is your name? my name is...")
Eezveneetse ("excuse me")
Mozhna? ("may I?" then just pantomine what you want to do)
Ya nee puneemayo ("I don't understand")
Skolka? ("how much?" you can add 'sto-eet' to the end to add "does it cost?" but pointing together with just the one word should get your point across to a vendor who wishes to sell you something)
Ya hachoo ("I want/would like" - for ordering in a restaurant)11. Na starovia ("to your health" - when toasting for the umpteenth time, just before you pour that N=X glass of vodka in the nearest plant)
Shto eta? ("what is it?" not polite to ask when dining at someone's house - especially if you add "the heck" to the middle)
Spaseeba ("thank you" - if done enthusiastically with a smile will label you as a goofy American!)
Doh sveedanya ("goodbye")
Pivo ("beer" - one for the guys), afterward, if needed, gehday twalyet? (self-explanatory)16. Eedtee sooda ("come here")
Eta ("that one" useful when pointing at the pastries)
zdes / tam ("here" or "there" - add to eta if you didn't get the pastry you wanted)
Moe sin / maya dochka ("my son" / "my daughter")
Ya loobloo tebya ("I love you")

State Department's to do list for living abroad

2008-01-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

The State Department has a great list of things to do when you'll be traveling for a long time. I've edited it to keep it brief and specific to our needs, but if you want to read it in its entirety, you can.

This material was originally written for employees and family members assigned to an American Embassy or Consulate abroad, but most of it is practical advice that would be useful to anyone living outside of their own country.

Before boing overseas, make a list of the following and leave with a trusted contact at home:

Passport numbers and dates of issue
Bank account numbers
Credit card numbers
Insurance policy numbers
Car registration, serial, and license numbers
U.S. driver’s license numbers
Social Security numbers (including children’s)
Current prescriptions, including eyeglasses
Contents and location of safe deposit box(es)
Assets and debts
Names and addresses of business and professional contacts

Put the following into your safe deposit (making copies of the items if you will need them at post, and get one if you don't already have one):

Copy of will(s). Do not put original of will in safe depository. Originals should be left with lawyer or executor.
Power of attorney (one of the originals)
Birth and marriage certificates
Naturalization papers
Deeds
Mortgages
Stocks (or leave with broker in case you want to sell)
Bonds (or leave with broker in case you want to sell)
Insurance papers - life, car, house, medical, and household effects (HHE)
Current household and personal effects inventory

In addition, do the following:

Execute a current power of attorney
Make sure your wills are up to date, too
Consider getting an ATM (automatic teller machine) card for your bank account that can be used all over the country. Make sure both spouses know the PIN (personal identification number).
Put checkbooks, bankbooks, credit cards, some travelers checks, and a small amount of cash in a safe (but easily accessible) place.
Keep a list of regular billing dates for all recurring expenses -- insurance, mortgages, and taxes. See the sheet I used to track this
Be certain your emergency contact person is capable of dealing with an emergency. Make duplicates of all personal address lists.
Discuss with your immediate and extended family what to do in case of an emergency.
Give them the emergency telephone numbers for your agency.
If you have children you're leaving at home, choose a surrogate parent and supply that person with a current power of attorney for medical or other emergencies in the event you need them to care for your children unexpectedly.
Keep immunizations up to date and recorded in your yellow shot card.
Plan for pets.
Learn some of the local language to help you in an emergency.
In the local language, write your personal information, emergency contacts, and essential telephone numbers and put this in your wallet to carry with you at all times.
Learn the location of the closest hospital, police station, and friendly embassy in the regions where you will be staying.
(The rest of this document is geared toward emergency evacuation for people residing in the country, so I didn't include it).

Fellow mommy blogger Jennifer M (thank you!) also recommended that you create a document that is in both English and Russian with the following information:

your name
your in-country contact's name, address, and phone number
contact info for your state side coordinator and your travel agent
Kaz travel insurance (not the private stuff obviously, but just contact info)
your airline phone number for the Almaty office, your layover city, and the states
basically any other pertinant contact info you think is important.

Make a copy for each piece of luggage and have each paper laminated (I didn't do that part and was just fine). Right before you zip up your bags, stick your sheet in right at the top of each bag. Not only will you have all your contact information very handy, but if a bag gets lost, the finder will be able to get in touch with your in-country people.

Baby's food & sleep needs

2008-01-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

Food & fluids:

Baby:

Birth to 6 mo: Bottle-feeding/formula: 2-2.5 oz per pound
6 months to a year: up to 8 oz per feeding
Give babies 4-8 oz of water per day.
Formula for infants (2.5 fl oz (75 ml) of formula each day for every 1 lb (450 g) of body weight. Babies younger than 1 year rarely need more than 36 fl oz (1065 ml) of formula each day.

Toddler: 1-2 year olds, daily:

1,000-1,300 calories;
protein needs: 1 gram per pound;
Fluids for toddlers: 1.5 oz ounces per pound per day, mostly in thre form of milk, formula or water but limit milk to 24 oz per day (whole milk/Sears) and less that 4-6 oz daily of juice for a child between the ages of 1-6 (tooth decay/ADA).;
ideal balanced nutrition: 50-55% carbs; 35-40% fats; 10-15% proteins.

Sleep:

6-12 Months: 14 hours a day (nap plus night)
1-3 years: 10 to 13 hours
Preschoolers: 10 to 12 hours
6-9 years: 10 hours
10-12 years: over 9 hours, up to parents to judge
Teens: 8 to 9.5 hours
Read more at http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/sleep.html

Transitional issues for when you get home:

The International Adoption medical program of the University of Minnesota's Transition Issues: Sleep for International Adoption Children This addresses what to do during the first weeks home when the exhaustion of jet lag may be the cause of sleep interruptions for both parent and child.

Welcome to a work in progress

2008-01-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

This is a test of a resource for myself for when we are in Kaz. There was just WAY too much to put on my Mission: Adoption blog! Most of this I'll print out real small and take with us. But I also thought this may be something you would also like to use as a resource.

Kazakh Adoptive Families is a great resource and I dont want to replicate it but I wanted something with what I wanted, and knew where I could find, thus... here it is.

The order of the posting is pretty random in terms of dates, so please use the side bar that organizes the topics. A lot more info to come. Some will be copyrighted materials I can't share which is why I'm making it private.

Let me know if there is something specific I should share or gather for you.

AND PLEASE DO COMMENT AWAY!

Setting Blogger to English from Russian

2008-01-01T11:07:00.001-08:00

While traveling in Kaz, your blog may change to Russian! How do you change the language?

Go to your blogger account (account is счет/Password is пароль).

On the very top top of the page on the right side, click on the first blue word after your email (Dashboard or possibly "Приборная панель").

Then you have file tabs (like 3 files laying on top of each other. Select the middle one (Settings or possibly "Параметры настройки"). There are 8 subcategories - select the third one (Formatting or possibly "Форматирование"). The 6th one down is Language "Язык". Select English (Английский). Hope this helps!

EMERGENCY when in Kaz

2008-01-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

Ambulance
For a municpal ambulance in Kazakhstan, call 03 or 79-73-73, 79-84-40, 79-85-71, 79-79-81 (ask for the head doctor of the shift). For a private ambulance, call the VIP Hospital at 619-710, 611-280, 621-280, or 621-288 (adults only) or the International SOS Clinic at 581-911 or 8-300-744-1111.

Medical facilities
Medical care in Kazakhstan is extremely limited. Shortages of essential medical supplies are common. Most expatriates go to the VIP Hospital in Almaty (ph. 616-789, 613-888) or the International SOS Clinic in Almaty (11 Luganskogo St, Almaty; ph. 7 3272 581 911 - 24 hrs, 913-030, 8-300-744-1111 - cell) or Atyrau (River Palace Hotel; 55, Aiteke bi Street; ph. 7 3122 586 911). Both the VIP Hospital and International SOS offer 24-hour emergency care. For a guide to other medical facilities in Kazakhstan, go to the U.S. Embassy website. Many doctors and hospitals will expect payment in cash, regardless of whether you have travel health insurance. Serious medical problems will require air evacuation to a country with state-of-the art medical facilities.

Pharmacies
Many drugs are in short supply. There is a list of "essential drugs" which are regulated by the state, but the quality of other medications is not assured. If you need medication, you can call the InfoService on Availability of Medications at 003 or 532-934, or call Pharmacy #2 at 73-12-69 or 73-07-07.

In the case of a life or death emergency involving a U.S. citizen call (8-727) 250-4901 (011-7-727-250-4901 from the U.S.) during business hours. After hours or on weekends, call (8-717) 270-2200 (011-7-717-270-2200 from the U.S.) and ask for the duty officer.

If your family needs to contact you because of an emergency at home or because they are worried about your welfare and cannot reach you directly, they may call the State Department's Citizens Emergency Center at (202) 647-5225. The State Department will relay the message to the U. S. Consular Section nearest you. The American Citizen Services Unit will attempt to locate you, pass on urgent messages, and, consistent with the Privacy Act, report back to your family.

Embassy of the United States of America in the Republic of Kazakhstan:
Hrs: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m., execpt American and Kazakh National Holidays.

Ak Bulak 4,Str. 23-22, building #3,
Astana 01001
Astana, Kazakhstan
Phone: +7 (7172) 70-21-00
Fax: +7 (7172) 34-08-90
email: info@usembassy.kz

The U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Almaty:

97 Zholdasbekov St.Samal-2
Almaty, Kazakhstan 480099
Phone: +7 (7272) 50-76-12
Fax: +7 (7272) 50-48-67

Consular Assistance to American Crime Victims can help American crime victims with issues such as:

Replacing a stolen passport;
Contacting family, friends, or employers;
Obtaining appropriate medical care;
Addressing emergency needs that arise as a result of the crime;
Obtaining general information about the local criminal justice process and information about your case;
Obtaining information about local resources to assist victims, including foreign crime victim compensation programs;
Obtaining information about crime victim assistance and compensation programs in the U.S.; and
Obtaining a list of local attorneys who speak English.
Consular officials cannot, however, investigate crimes, provide legal advice or represent you in court, serve as official interpreters or translators, or pay legal, medical, or other fees for you.

Consumer Protection Safety Commission

2007-12-31T22:22:00.000-08:00

Consumer Protection Safety Commission's address is www.cpsc.gov/

When an adoption falls through

2007-12-31T22:14:00.001-08:00

You know? Unsuccessful adoptions happens in domestic and international adoption as well.

Adoption/Kazakhstan listservs, newsletters, magazines, books, toys, etc

2007-12-31T22:08:00.000-08:00

Start here: LarensAdoptionLinks.com

Yahoo Groups on Kaz adoption:

Kazakhstan_Adoption (managed by LMI but anyone can join)
Kazakhstan Adoptions
Parents Adopting Kazak Kids (PAKK)
Single Kaz Moms
There is a listserv for every Kaz region. Just go to Yahoo's groups and search for what you're looking for.
There is a listserv for almost every US state about Kaz adoption. For instance, there is the KazakFloridaFamilies group
Kazakhstan Adoption Forum by Adoption.com
Adoption Email Lists Directory by ComeUnity Adoption: Special Needs and Parenting Support
An adoption newsletter by and for adoptive mothers. Real Moms Adoption Newsletter

Websites:

Website with lots of links to adoption resources at AdoptionInformationInformation.org
Eastern European Adoption Coallition website is recommended but currently down for maintenance (1/07)
Joint Council on International Children’s Services

Adoption Books:

Lists of Adoption Books at ComeUnity There is nothing specific to Kazakhstan here, but general adoption books and books for children too.
Purchase books at Tapestry Books

Helping family and friends understand about adoption:

Institute for Adoption Information offers a brochure Why It Is Important To Understand Adoption

Helping teacher understand about adoption and curriculum:

An Educator's Guide toAdoption Brochure -its around $8
Teaching Tolerance Magazine
"A" Is for Adoption: a teachers’ pocket guide to adoption issues in the classroom at Cradle.org
order the book Adoption and the Schools from Families Adopting In Response
order DVD/Video "I Wonder…” Teenagers Talk About Being Adopted from Families Adopting In Response

Everything else adoption:

Institute for Adoption Information at AdoptionInformationInstitute.org
from magazines to books to jewelry to CDs. Get it at AdoptionShop.com
Everything Russian adoption from magazines to books to jewelry to CDs at AdoptedFromRussian.com
Multicultural dolls are available at DollsLikeMe.com
Russian toys available at Russian-Toys.com I linked this page to Anna the Russian speaking doll, but poke around at this site.
About Kazkah Crafts Kazakhcrafts.com

Safe, healthy travels to Kazakhstan

2007-12-31T21:58:00.000-08:00

Start getting immunizations. Some, such as Hepatitis AB, have a series of shots given over 6 months. Don't try to get all your immunizations at one time - you'll be in pain and broke! Check to see what immunizations you should get.

Register yourself with the Kazazkhstan Embassy for when you will be in Kazakhstan(reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)

Tips for living abroad by US Department of State. This is a really great list of things you should do and what kind of information you should leave with someone back home.

International Travel Warnings

Can be found at this US Embassy website for all countries, check if Kaz is listed

General

KazakhAdoptiveFamilies.com has lot and losts of good information about traveling to Kaz

Travel Agency:

Golden Rule Travel, Eldo Miller (Kaz Adopt specialist), eldo@goldrule.net, (888) 950-3273 (FARE), 6411 W. Morgan Ave., Hutchinson, KS 67501, Fax: (620)665-5425

Check health issues for in Kaz travel:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding Kazakhstan
MDtravelhealth.com's recommendations for healthy travel to Kazakhstan. Covers recommended immunizations, Other infections, recent outbreaks, Food and water precautions, General advice, Traveling with children, Ambulance, Medical facilities, Pharmacies, including addresses and phone numbers (of course they'll probably only speak Russian)!
World Health Organization's International travel and health report
US Embasy's Astana Medical Directory This actually tells you who speaks some english

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance covers a plethora of things, including inconveniences like lost luggage. It also can cover Medivac and medical care, in-case you get seriously ill. You don't want to be stuck in a post-soviet hospital, where you can't communicate in a common language. Remember, healthcare in Kaz will be very different and your health insurance won't cover it. Make sure you ask what the insurance covers!

Travel Protectors TravelProtectors.com
Global Health Insurance GlobalHealthInsurance.com
Med Jet Assistance MedJetAssis.com

Communicate while you are there (without speaking):

Kwick Point Consumer Translators using universal pictorial images from KwickPoint.com (some have medical things on it)

Figure out how much US $ is compared to Kaz tenge

Amy created a great chart to convert Kaz Tge to US$ that you can print and take with you. Its based upon Feb 2008 values.

In case of emergency while you're there:

US Embassies Worldwide
US Embassy in Kazakstan general
US Embassy regarding Arrest, Death, and Emergency Services
US Embassy regarding Visas
US Embasy's Astana Medical Directory This actually tells you who speaks some english
MDtravelhealth.com's recommendations for healthy travel to Kazakhstan. Covers recommended immunizations, Other infections, recent outbreaks, Food and water precautions, General advice, Traveling with children, Ambulance, Medical facilities, Pharmacies, including addresses and phone numbers (of course they'll probably only speak Russian)!
World Health Organization's Hospital Care for Children This is a pocket-sized manual for use by doctors, senior nurses and other senior health workers who are responsible for the care of young children at the first referral level in developing countries.
Emergency Preparedness by USA.gov
Crisis Preparedness in Kazakhstan by the US Embassy in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Culture and Geography

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Lonely Planet Travel Guide to Kazakhstan (website)

There is a lot of information at Kazakh Adoptive Families

There are links to more links about Kaz at VGSBooks.com

And at Kazakh-Aul-Us.org, which is a nonprofit organization founded by Kazakhs and Americans dedicated to Kazakh cultural education and support, based in Rhode Island but has members in 32 states. They have a family camp.

You can view the Kazakhstan Provinces at Answers.com

Read about Kazakhstan at AboutKazakhstan.com

US Embassy notes on Kazakhstan

Here is the Kazakhstan Embassy for the US and Canada

Great links about adoption

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Comprehensive

International Adoption:

Finding Your Child Home

Blogs about Adoption in general:

Adoption Blogs

Region specific:

Families for Russian and Ukranian Adoption (FRUA)

Kazakhstan Adoption Specific:

Kazakhstan Adoptive Families

Education about Adoption:

Adoption Ethics:

In-country medical, schedule, likes/dislikes interviews

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Preadoption questions (for various ages) to ask offered by Towson University

Adopt Ukraine has a create list of questions to ask the caretakers

High-risk issues: Development, FAS, RAD, SPD, etc

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Find an International Adoption Doctor. Here is a State by state listing. The majority of your communications with the IA doctor will be from out of country, so don't get hung up on having a local doctor unless you want.

General adoption-specific health issues:

Lots of information about adoption health at OrphanDoctor.com
ARIA: Association for Research in International Adoption

Developmental Issues:

Read about warning signs for all sorts of developmental issues at FirstSigns.org
What to Expect and When to Seek Help Developmental Tools by Georgetown University are available at Bright Futures
State by State listing: National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, also includes a link to Resources: MR/DD associations and organizations and state and federal government resources from across the Internet.
State by State listing: Developmental Disabilities Sites of the States: An unofficial guide to State Developmental Disabilities Agency sites
Child Development Info
The Family Village Web Site is a global community that integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with cognitive and other disabilities, for their families, and for those that provide them services and support. This is an awesome sight!

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:

Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and abnormal development from the Univeristy of Wales
FAS Community Resource Center
Family Village Library's FAS links
Institute of Medicine Report on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: this article is a quick overview of what FAS affects.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Family Resource Institute
More links to more links on FAS from http://www.familyvillage.org/
FAS Chat groups and FAS Adopt listserv for families that have adopted children with FAS
The ABC's of FAS/FAE, a teachers guide, including checklists, includes checklists and how FAS affects learning (Brittish Columbia site)
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects of Nova Scotia
Links to pictures of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Evaluation Tools for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
FAS and FAE Issues in Russia/International Adoption
On taking photos of child for IA doctor to assess
FAS & Educational Strategies
Fetal Alcohol Effected Student Checklist For Educational Programming
Come Over To's page on FAS
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Information Website
Assessment guides for various ages regarding FAS

FAS Physical Abnormalities: Studies by Prof.Dr.med. Hermann Löser from the University Children's Clinic, Münster, Germany. He has followed hundreds of FAS children for over 20 years. His results are in "Ratgeber zur Alkoholembryopathie" published by Lambertus Verlag Freiberg.:

98% are under normal height and weight
84% Microcephalic (small circumfrance of head)
89% Mental and Motor Retardation
80% Speech impediments
20% Hearing problems
20% Swallowing/Feeding problems
72% Hyperactive
58% Slack muscles
20% Autism/Aggressive/Social Problems
95% Facial anomalies (**see below)
29% Heart defects
10% Kidney defects
46% Genital deformities
25% Eye problems
16% Bent crooked little finger
51% Shortened and bent little finger
13% Underdeveloped fingers
9% Hip deformities
16% Small teeth
30% Pigeon Chest
7% Concave chest
7% Cleft palate
44% Spinal dimple
12% Hernia
35% Hair growth on back of neck

**Facial abnormalities:

small eye openings/small eyes, poor development of optic nerve, crossed-eyes, nearsightedness;
skin webbing between eyes and base of nose;
drooping eyelids;
failure of eyes to move in same direction;
a short, upturned nose;
sunken nasal bridge;
and indistinct philtrum (an underdeveloped groove between the nose and the upper lip);
thin upper lip;
small upper mouth structure and teeth;
opening in roof of mouth;
low-set or poorly formed ears;
flattened cheekbones;

Children with FASDs might have the following characteristics: exhibit the following behaviors:

Facial abnormalities (see above)
Small size for gestational age or small stature in relation to peers: small body size and weight, small head;
bent, fused, webbed, or missing fingers or toes;
limited movement of joints, fingers and elbows
low birth weight
caved-in chest wall
extra fingers, abnormal palm creases
excessive hair
under-grown nails
umbilical or diaphragmatic hernia
deformed ribs and sternum;
curved spine;
hip dislocations;
incomplete development of genitalia
incomplete or lack of development of brain structures
Organ deformities: heart defects; heart murmurs; genital malformations; kidney and urinary defects.

Children with FASDs might exhibit the following behaviors:

irritability in infancy and hyperactivity in childhood
poor coordination
failure to thrive
developmental delay
organ dysfunction
epilepsy
poor coordination/fine motor skills
poor socialization skills, such as difficulty building and maintaining friendships and relating to groups
lack of imagination or curiosity
learning difficulties, including poor memory, inability to understand concepts such as time and money, poor language comprehension, poor problem-solving skills
behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, social withdrawal stubbornness, impulsiveness, and anxiety
Central nervous system handicaps: small brain; faulty arrangement of brain cells and connective tissue; mental retardation -- usually mild to moderate but occasionally severe; learning disabilities; short attention span; irritability in infancy; hyperactivity in childhood; poor body, hand, and finger coordination.
Poor coordination
Hyperactive behavior
Developmental disabilities (e.g., speech and language delays)
Mental retardation or low IQ
Problems with daily living
Poor reasoning and judgment skills
Sleep and sucking disturbances in infancy

Reactive Attachment Disorder:

Attachment Disorder Identify Early Warning Signs atCenter4FamilyDevelop.com
Reactive Attachment Disorder Treatment age-specific checklists are available at ReactiveAttachmentDisorderTreatment.com

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD):

Visit the Sensory Processing Disorder Network/Foundation website and their SPD Network Resource Page
Website exclusively about Sensory Processing Disorder at Sensory-Processing-Disorder.com
Sensory Integration by ComeUnity Adoption, Special Needs and Parenting Support This site has a series of articles you can download and read. This whole site is pretty cool, just poke around and see whats on there.
ComeUnity's page to links on Sensory Integration
Visit the Out-of-Sync Child website for lots of information and resources. Order the Out of Sync Child has fun for lots of safe activities. And the Out of Sync Child Resource page
Visit the SensoryResources.com Resource Page for lots of other sites

Language Development in Internationally Adopted Children:

Research from TowsonUniveristy

Looking for something else?

Try this site: Family Village Research Guide for Families

Toys that address SPD and Developmental issues:

Article about Sensory Integration Tools and Toys at SpecialChildren.About.com
Toys for SPD available at SpecialChildren.About.com make sure you check out the categories of their items on the left side of the page
Order stuff from SensoryResources.com
Shop for equipment for children with SPD at SouthPawEnterprises.com
Toys for SPD, therapy and educations toys at SelfHelpWarehouse.com make sure you check out the categories of their items on the left side of the page.
Find sources for sensory products on the Out of Sync Child Resource page

Developmental milestones and growth harts

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The International Adoption Clinic at the University of Minnesota's
Evaluating the Health of the Adopted Child: Helpful Information to Obtain, a checklist

Developmental Milestones:

Towson University offers Three Preadoption Questionaires (for various ages ranges)

Center for Disease Control's information on Developmental Milestones

World Health Organization's site on Child and Adolescent Development

U.S. National Library of Medicine,'s Developmental Milestones Record

World Health Organization's publications on general health and development of children
Less Technical, wider age range: Child Development and Guidance by Age from Parenting Today, Dept of Family Services State of FL. Up to teen years.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Developmental Milestones
Assure the Best for your Baby’s Physical Development PDF download American Association of Pediatrics brochure(8pgs)
Pathways Awareness Foundation national non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the benefit of early detection and early therapy for children with early motor delays.

Growth Charts:

Center for Disease Control's information on Growth Clinical Charts

Attachment Checklists:

Attachment Disorder Identify Early Warning Signs atCenter4FamilyDevelop.com
Reactive Attachment Disorder Treatment age-specific checklists are available at ReactiveAttachmentDisorderTreatment.com

Adoption Doctor's International Adoption Forms...

How to create a Kaz dossier... efficiently

2007-12-31T19:00:00.000-08:00

After creating 3 dossiers in one year (for China and Kaz and for 2 different agencies), we have learned some valuable lessons. We managed to create our last dossier in one week. However, that is only because we had the three documents that take the most amount of time to get. Creating a dossier is sort of like juggling, there is a certain pace and order to it to make sure its completed within the time perameters. Here is how to create a dossier in what we found to be the most efficient way...

Pre-preparation Forwarnings:
The dossier documents are time sensitive. No document can be older than 3-4 months before it is submitted to your agency or something like that (confirm with your agency). If you follow my advice here in the order of things, you shouldnt have a problem with it.

Some states have additional requires to get a document apostilled. Ask your Sec. of State's office ASAP for their apostille requirements - don't risk finding out later! Here is a listing of all the Secretaries of State and VitalCheck (where you can order your original documents from), thanks to the Assistant Stork. If you are from Ohio, here is some advice from Jill and John who found themselves in this situation. Original documents are apostilled in the state where they are generated, so this will take a little longer than those locally.

Phase One: you will be asking people to create documents for you. Those documents that are time sensitive (go in the dossier), tell them what you need now but tell them you won't need it until later - you'll give them at least 2 weeks notice.

Contact a Homestudy Agency. Schedule appointments.
If you don't already have your passport or need to get it renewed, get 'er done!
Ask for reference letters if your agency or homestudy requests them. If you don't need the reference letters in your actual dossier, they can create, sign, and date them now.
Start ordering any original documents that you need (marriage, divorce, birth). Start immediately with any that are from out of state.
Let your employer know you will need them to write a letter for you. Give them the language that your agency gives you. Most likely, you'll be printing it on the letterhead yourself and have them sign it... Confirm with your agency whether this document needs a notary or whether you can have the additional document where you attest that it is a true original copy (which gets notarized). Hold off on collecting this document!
Start filling out the forms that your agency gave you. Some are pretty easy and others are not. Follow their directions carefully. Different agencies have different forms (believe it or not) and different states have different notary language. Make sure you use the right language! (Some forms, such as the financial and home description documents may need a little bit of time and effort on your part. You may want to visit my Financial Spreadsheet which may help you organize your thoughts, at least the Net Worth worksheet in this document. did the budget sheet before we met with our homestudy, but we didn't need it). Whatever you do, DON'T sign, date and get them notarized yet.
(You can start getting innoculated for your trip now or later. Hepatitis A&B immunizations require a series of 3 shots over 6 months. Ask your local health department or check here to find out what immunizations you'll need to travel).
Open a Fed Ex account. This is the greatest thing for shipping packages and overnighting and easy to do.

Phase Two: After getting your homestudy report...

Fill out the I600A and submit it. (Some states will allow you to submit the I600A and the homestudy report later; if that is the case, do it). You will get back a date, time and location of where to get your fingerprints done. This is the first step to getting your cherished I-171-H.
Start shopping for the right notary. You'll need one who's commission doesn't expire for over a year, and you'll want one who's free. Your bank, financial advisor, lawyer, CPA or other should have one. Or make friends with someone who fits this criteria. Once all your documents are together and completed, you'll need to schedul a half hour appointment with them to get everything notarized.
Get your fingerprints (not for the i-171-H) for the FBI. Your police or sherif department should offer this service. Make sure they use the cardstock (around 8-inc by 8-inch) with blue print version. Hold on to this card. You'll need to send it to the FBI for a report, but don't send it in until you receive you have completed your other (USCIS) fingerprint appointment.
Send any out of state orginal documents to be apostilled in their original state.
You can get new passport pictures which you'll need later (for visa?).

Phase Two: after you have your fingerprints done for the USCIS. Sometimes it takes 6-9 weeks to get the I171H.

Mail your fingerprint card into the FBI. Make sure you write on the front of the envelope EXPEDITE for ADOPTION on the front. Follow your agency's paperwork instructions on the language to use in your request letter.
Make an appointment with your doctor for your check up. Bring your required paperwork. Ask if they can get it to you later...
You agency may require you to have a copy of your home deed, if so, get it now.
Continue working on any of your own documents that you haven't completed; but don't sign and notarize them yet! Dont' forget the "true and original documents pages."
Your agency may require you to have letters from your bank and mortgage company that you are a client in good standing. Start getting these now.
Make color photocopies of your passport as your agency suggests. I actually printed out a bunch of sheets of paper with the "true and original copy" language on it, and the propery notary language on it, and placed the passport on top of the print out to make copies.

Phase Four: after you get your I171H...

Ask for the documents you need from your doctors, employers, banks, mortage complanies, etc. If you have fortold them you needed them, they should be ready.
Make an appointment with your notary friend. Notarize all the documents you need to.
Fax copies of all these forms to your agency for review. You don't want to pay for the apostilles and find out something is wrong... If something is wrong, if its okay, carry on...
Photocopy ALL your documents NOW. You may want to also make PDFs now for your records. Follow your agency's requirements; they may ask you to send multiple copies to them. Make sure you make one for yourself.
Get all the documents apostilled (you should have already done any out of state ones).

Phase Five: after you get the apostilles back!

Photocopy all the apostilles. Apostilles have numbers on them, make sure you know which number goes with each original document! Follow your agengies requirements as per copies (quantity and instructions) if they need them.
Send the dossier to your agency. Woo-hoo! You're done!

Some additional Tips:

1. My husband's physician was uncomfortable providing a copy of his licensedue to security concerns. (I realize that more info is available on ourstate's public licensing web site, but still he was uncomfortable.) I got atip from a friend who recently had a physical done for a new job at a placecalled Workfit. They specialize in pre-employment physicals and drugscreening. I called them to see if they would do my husband's physical, andthey said "no problem!". I explained the paperwork involved, and still "noproblem!" They even had a notary onsite.

2. Not all notaries have the stamp or the wording to certify copies (e.g.copy of the physician's license). When you are arranging notary services, besure to explain that you need "copy certification" in addition to the usualidentity/signature certification.

3. Our home study agency required 3 personal references. Two of our friendsreturned theirs within a few days. The third one took 6 1/2 weeks. This isdespite the fact that she is herself a recent AP and knows how important itis. She also told me that she was excited to write the letter, and that if Ihadn't asked, she would have volunteered. So, I think she really did want tohelp, just didn't get around to it. It was incredibly frustrating waiting solong, especially as I have been watching wait times in Kaz lengthen. So, mysuggestion is to ask for one more reference than you need, and use the firstones you get back. Or use them all if you receive them all in a timely way.Hope this helps someone avoid some frustration!

Diane

Learning Russian & Kazakh

2007-12-31T18:59:00.003-08:00

Resource for both languages:

TONS of links from KazakhAdoptiveFamilies.com for both Russian and Kazakh. Look around this website if you havent - awesome site
If you're not already a member of the Kazakhstan Adoption Yahoo Group, then join. They have some good files on learning the languages. One is in Russian-Kazakh-English (this file is called "English to Kazakh Phrases"), including phrases appropriate for traveling and to speak to children, and another file in just Russian for speaking to children (called "Russian Child Talk" or Russian/English phrases).

Learn Russian for free:

Learn Russian for free at MasterRussian.com
Learn Russian for free at Hello-world.com
Learn Russian for free at AlphaDictionary.com
More free Russian lessons at Russian.Speak.7.com
Learn Kazakh Russian for free at PeaceCorps.gov also get this document to learn from also from Peace Corps
Learn Russian for free at RussianLessons.net

Learn Kazkah for free:

Learn Kazakh phrases from the Kazakh Embassy
Learn Kazakh online for free from Arizona University (this looks hard)

Don't bother learning at all, but be able to communicate anyway:

Kwick Point Consumer Translators using universal images from KwickPoint.com

Activities with baby while traveling

2007-12-31T18:57:00.002-08:00

Recite or sing Nursery Rhymes

Have fun with almost 100 Motor Activities for Infants and Toddlers

Multiple Intellegences

Activities for Toddlers

ZOOM activites to turn off the TV

Most babies say their first words by 12 months to 14 months. Between 15 and 18 months, your baby will enjoy language games that ask him to identify things, such as: "Where's your ear?" and "Where is Mommy?""Lessons" should be in the form of games to keep your child's interest, and they should be stopped at the first sign of boredom. Removing the pressure from a lesson or playtime will teach your baby that learning is fun, and he'll look forward to the activity in the future.

Your toddler will be very interested in experimenting with social activities and imitating adult actions in make-believe play. Give him toys that encourage symbolic play, such as kitchen sets, dolls, and dress-up clothes. Allow him to "shadow" you as you do chores or everyday activities, and give him some "chores" to do, such as brushing his teeth or putting on his shoes.

Great toys for exploring and experimenting include trains, play garden tools, outdoor toys (swing sets, slides), blocks, large crayons, baskets, and pots and pans. Shape sorters, pegboards, nesting toys and simple puzzles allow your baby to enhance his analytical skills. As always, read to your child. He will now follow along with the story and point out objects and people in the picture.

Lesson Plans

Preparations in order to travel

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What should a person do after they submit their dossier and are waiting? some things are obvious, such as prepare the nursery. But there are other things too.

You may get your LOI and have only a few days to travel. So you should know about and plan for things will need to be taken care of while you are away. You'll need to plan for pets, children, the home, work, paying bills, etc.

I've put together a few excel spreadsheets to help us plan. Please note that most of these documents have multiple worksheets.

The Away from Home document has a calendar for expected bills to anticipate which you can edit and personalize. Remember, when you add columns or rows, the sum cells will probably not recognize that you have done so, so please check that the totals are true.
The Financial Worksheet helped us do budgeting for the financial forms in all our dossiers.
I will add a Packing List here
I will add a To Do list here

Defectology

2007-12-31T18:08:00.000-08:00

Health is viewed very differently in Kaz. For instance, children are considered defective adults in Russia. This concept is called Defectology. Children are often diagnosed with conditions that are difficult for non-russian civilians (and doctors) to comprehend. Therefore, we must know what some terminology means so that we can comprehend the overall health of our children.

This post will cover some terminology and offer links to where we can find more information. Descriptions of high-risk serious issues can be found in other posts.

Diagnoses are not created to promote adoption of unhealthy children
Neuro-reflex-hyperexcitability syndrome - a description of a high strung infant
Hypertensive-hydrocephalic syndrome - increased pressure and increased amount cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain-if this were true, it would be incompatible with life!
Perinatal Encephalopathy - greater then 95% of medicals will have this diagnosis, which encompasses health conditions of the mother during pregnancy, the child's health during pregnancy, the child's health at the time of delivery, and the potential health issues of the child
Hypotrophy - decreased velocity of growth, failure to thrive
Intestinal Dysbacteriosis - bacteria or normal flora of the intestines
Congenital Dislocation or Displasia of the hip - commonly found on medicals, but this is not a common diagnosis
Cardiopathy - heart murmur
Eposure to Sphilis or Lues Disease is very common on Russian medical reports (20%)

For more information visit:

Preparing Families for International Adoption - Bledsoe & Johnston (download)
Orphan Doctor: Guidelines for Interpreting Pre-Adoption Medicals From Russia and Other Countries Scroll down to 'medical diagnoses and defectology in Russia...'
Orphan Doctor: Preparations, Resources, and Expectations for International Adoption
Glossary of Russian Medical Terms
Russian Adoption Medical Reports: Terminology
Recommended Resources by the University of Minnesota
Families for Russian & Ukrainian Adoption Medical Concerns, includes a Table of Diagnosis and Issues , Attachment, Alcohol Related Birth Defects, Behavioral and Emotional Disorders, Failure to Thrive, Hepatitis C, Helicobacter Pylori, Pediatric Orthopedics - Birth Defects, Post Institutionalized Children's Issues, Sensory Integration, Sleep and Bedtime Routines
List of Topics covered by the University of Minnesota
Four articles by Deborah Borchers, M.D., walk parents through evaluating a referral, preparing for the adoption trip, and completing a post-adoption medical assessment.
Russian Medical Reports: Terminology from Adoptions from Russia - Russian Adoption Medical Services