Medical Care, Appointments & Supports

Let’s be honest, going to the doctor can be scary. For children who have experienced trauma, this fear can be even bigger. As a caregiver, managing medical appointments can be stressful and overwhelming. Fortunately, there are strategies for helping children cope with this stress and to make care coordination easier. See our Navigating Medical Systems Information Packet & en español for the full list of parent-provided tips! Please reference our ACEs, Anxiety, Attachment, Autism, Food Issues & Nutrition, LGBTQ+ Families & Youth, Mental Health , Neurodiversity, Play, Sensory Supports, Sleep and Trauma pages for more resources.

"Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love for humanity.” ~Hippocrates

Websites & Local Supports

Adoption Medicine Clinics List
Adoption Medicine Clinic - Minnesota-based; worldwide consultations
Autism Society of Oregon - Resources for Obtaining Diagnoses & Therapy Providers
CaCoon (CAreCOOrdinatioN) - public health home nursing
Center for Adoption Medicine - Seattle-based
Courageous Parents Network
Every Step - community of clinics supporting foster & adoptive youth
FACT Oregon - IEP Resources & one page profiles
Health Care Standards for Kids in Foster Care & Addressing Barriers by AAP
Hero Kids Registry - emergency medicine registry automatically sent to first responders
Medicine Safe Storage - OHSU Poison Help program information
ODHS
- Applying for Former Foster Care Youth Medical Program Coverage
- Health Assessment Information
- Medication 101
- Medication Log
- Oregon Health Plan Overview
Oregon Family to Family - helping families of children & youth with special health care needs
Oregon Health Plan
- New Coverage Information
- Quick Start Guide
ORPARC’s Find A Therapist Resources
Swindell’s Resource Center - supporting caregivers of children with special health, behavioral or developmental needs
- Care Notebook - compile medical information on any child
- Library

For Youth

Doctor Visits + Health Resources & en español by Sesame Street
Health Care for Former Foster Youth by FosterClub
Talking to your doctor for 11-18yos by Mind

Recommended Books & Articles

Medical-related materials in ORPARC's library, including our Navigating Medical Systems packet & en español plus our Bailey the Bold: Social Stories collection & en español

6 Helpful Medical Care Resources for Pre & Post Adoption by Show Hope
8 Steps to get Your Child Ready for a Medical Procedure by UK Healthcare
Adoption medicine clinics help parents cope with complex needs by Beth Howard
Caring for Traumatized Children by Seattle Childrens
Comprehensive Health Care for Children in Foster Care by Health Care Toolbox
Comprehensive Health Evaluation of the Newly Adopted Child by AAP
Developmental Issues for Young Children in Foster Care by AAP
Doctor's Visits by Foster Talk
A Guide to Medical Play by American Childhood Cancer Association
Family History “Unknown”: Understanding Adopted Individuals’ Needs in the Healthcare Environment by J. Small & R. Gruneisen, adoptees & E. Schulte, adoptive parent
Finding Your Adoption Medical History by American Adoptions
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event by Child Mind Institute & en español
How Adoptees Are Filling in the Holes in Their Medical History by Oliva Campbell
How to Prepare Your Teen to Manage Their Own Care by CHOC
I'm Not a Doctor. But I wish I had one that was an adoptee. by Lisa MM Butler, adoptee
Medical Issues in Adopted Children by Dr. Elaine Schulte, adoptive parent
Medical Trauma Fact Sheets & Supports by National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Parents Guide to Positive Health-Focused Medical Visits by Kids Eat in Color
Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress by Health Care Toolbox
Preparing Children for Medical Appointments by UCLA Health
Support Your Child Through Medical Trauma by Any Baby Can
Teaching Doctors Patient Care by Dr. Alexándrea Evans Oneal, adoptee
What It’s Like to Fill in the Gaps in Your Health History When You’re Adopted by Fiona Tapp, adoptee
What Pediatric Health Providers Should Know About Adoption by Children's Bureau
Why an Adoption-Aware Pediatrician Matters by Kristina Frazier, adoptive parent
Your Health, Your Right; Why Adopted Children Should Have Access to Their Family Medical History by Madison Dietl, adoptee

Foster care specific

Foster Parents Often Struggle To Find Doctors To Treat The Kids In Their Care by Phil Galewitz
Foster Care: Parenting Children with Special Needs by Natalie Whitcomb
Foster Youth are Traumatized Enough: Why Psych Meds Should be Better Regulated by Tisha Ortiz, fosteree
Foster Youth with Special Health Care Needs Healthcare Transition Text Messages by Innovative Approaches Initiative
Gaps: Foster Care has an Oral Health Problem by Foster Focus
Piecing Together a Medical History When You Adopt a Foster Child by Deborah Borchers

Social stories for kids by Autism Little Learner

For professionals

Guidance for pediatricians on difficult foster care, adoption & kinship topics by Healthy Foster Care America
Healthcare for Children & Adolescents in Foster Care & Kinship Care by AAP
How Health Professionals Can Talk With Families About Race by Jacqueline Douge
Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma Informed Care by Center for Health Care Strategies
Needs of Kinship Care Families & Pediatric Practice by AAP
Talking with family about adoption, foster care and kinship care at the pediatrician's office by Healthy Foster Care America

Culturally-specific

Asian American Children's Health by A Child is a Child
Confronting Racism in Pediatric Care by Benjamin Danielson
Do Black Patients Fare Better with Black Doctors? by Patrick Boyle
Health Disparities Among Hispanic Youth by InsureKidsNow
How Tribal Placements Benefit Native Foster Children’s Health by AMA
Family Spirit Leads with Culture by Center for Indigenous Health
Native Health & Wellbeing - an ORPARC Resource page
Pediatric care for non-white children is universally worse across U.S. by Kristin Samuelson

LGBTQ+-specific

Barriers to Care by National LGBT Cancer Network
Caring for LGBTQ Youth in Inclusive & Affirming Environments by Hadland et al
OHP to Cover Gender Affirming Care by Oregon Health Authority
Talking to Doctors & Medical Providers for Parents of Transgender Youth by HRC
Transgender Health Program by OHSU
Why safe spaces in health care matter for LGBTQ+ patients by Dr. Elizabeth Ghandakly

Videos & Podcasts

Care Considerations for Adopted Children by Dr. Elaine Schulte, adoptive parent (video)
Conversation with a Pediatrician: Physical Issues Common in Children in Foster Care by The Forgotten Initiative Podcast
Navigating Disability & Rare Medical Conditions as an Intercountry Adoptee by Lynelle Long, adoptee (article + video)
Understanding & Addressing Pediatric Medical Trauma by Courageous Parents Network (video)
When Medical Care Leads to Traumatic Stress: Tips to Help Your Child by Boston's Children's Hospital (webinar)

Featured Favorites

Taking Care of Your Child by Pantell et al

The Little Ouch by Katherine Picarde

The Berenstain Bears: Hospital Friends by Mike Berenstain

At the Doctor (English/Cherokee) by Molly Fields - many bilingual versions!

My Doctor's Visit (English/Spanish) by Cara Florance

Little Miss Goes to Surgery by Erica Basora

Siha Tooskin Knows the Best Medicine by Charlene & Wilson Bearhead (Nakota)

Ollie’s Tonsils by Tony Densley

Afraid of the Doctor by Meghan Marsac

Leo Gets a Checkup by Anna McQuinn

Daniel Visits the Doctor by Becky Friedman