Organizing what you know – and what you may not know – about your child’s health history.
After an international adoption, families may have extensive medical information, very limited records or documents that are incomplete, translated or based on different medical systems. A healthcare appointment is an opportunity to establish care, review available information and identify questions for follow-up – not to fill in gaps that simply cannot be known.
Bring the Records You Have
Bring copies of medical reports, immunization information, growth records, laboratory results, referral documents, medication lists and relevant translated records. Keep original adoption and identity documents stored securely unless specifically required. Write down known prenatal, birth and early-care information separately from information that is uncertain or reported second-hand. It is okay to tell a healthcare provider, ‘We do not know.’
Share the Adoption Context Thoughtfully
Tell the provider that your child joined your family through international adoption and identify any known health, developmental or exposure concerns. You do not need to share unrelated private details of the child’s history.
Ask the provider to explain recommendations and whether referrals for hearing, vision, dental, developmental, speech/language, occupational therapy or other assessments are appropriate for your individual child.
Prepare Your Child
Explain the visit in developmentally appropriate language. Avoid surprising a child with procedures whenever possible. Bring comfort objects, snacks or communication supports if appropriate and tell the provider about sensory, language or trauma-related considerations that may affect the appointment.
What Can Help
- Create a one-page health summary and update it over time.
- Bring a list of current medications, allergies and supplements.
- Record questions before the appointment.
- Ask how immunization records from another country will be interpreted.
- Discuss development based on the child’s history and adjustment, not comparison alone.
- Ask before sharing sensitive adoption information in front of the child or other people.
When to seek additional support
Contact a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your child. Urgent symptoms or emergencies require appropriate urgent or emergency medical care.
Helpful Resources
- Ontario Health811: https://health811.ontario.ca/
- CanFASD – Information for Families: https://canfasd.ca/caregivers/information-for-caregivers/
Note: External resources are provided for general information. Services, eligibility and content may change. Families should
confirm current information directly with the organization.