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Adopt a Child with Autism

April is Autism Acceptance Month!  To bring awareness and acceptance to Autism, we are sharing a CCAI family adoption story!  The Fowlers are raising two boys with Autism that are radically different from one another.  There is a popular saying in the Autism community, first stated by Dr. Stephen Shore, “Once you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism.”  

Autism is an incredibly diverse spectrum, and we at CCAI encourage you to celebrate neurodiversity this month and all year!  We have many precious kids on the Autism spectrum waiting for their forever families.  Would you consider changing a child’s life?  Read below about the Fowlers thriving with their son Hudson, adopted through our Taiwan program, and how they celebrate each of their children for exactly who they are.  

Meet the Fowlers

We are the Fowlers.  We are a family of six: Savannah (16), Jackson (12), and two children, whom we adopted, Brooklynn (11) from China and Hudson (8) from Taiwan.  Jackson and Hudson both have Autism.  Our dream was always to adopt internationally, a calling God put in our hearts before we met.  We knew that we could provide a loving family for any child.  As an Army Family of 26 years, we adapt to new situations quickly and easily with a spirit of adventure.  

Two Autistic sons who are loved, accepted and celebrated

We adopted Hudson in December 2019, at age 6, knowing that he had a diagnosis of Autism.  Since our son, Jackson, was diagnosed with Autism at age 3, we concluded that we knew more than most families about the spectrum and how to help a child with Autism.  Even though Jackson and Hudson both have Autism, they are EXTREMELY different.  Jackson has level-one Autism.  He is brilliant, with an Autistic superpower, enabling his brain to move faster than most.  He’s also very black/white, justice-oriented, and can get stuck on one topic.  Jackson moderates the more challenging aspects of Autism through strategies learned over the years.  He is a thriving 6th grader with friends, does great in school, and does not require any medications or therapies.  

Hudson has no spoken vocabulary at this time.  He sees an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist three times a week and an occupational therapist regularly.  In addition, Hudson attends a Special Education class at school where he is learning life skills, including social skills, putting on shoes and academic skills like letters and numbers.  Not only is Hudson Autistic, but he also has severe developmental delays and ADHD, likely attributable to his early years spent in an orphanage.  Hudson may never live independently or be able to hold a job, but we are hopeful with the correct interventions, Hudson will reach his highest potential.  God calls us to do hard things and to trust in Him, and we continue to do that.  

Hudson loves books! While reading books, his favorite thing is to sit in the rocking chair or recliner and rock. On top of books, Hudson enjoys snuggling with mom on the couch and watching Cocomelon. He gets incredibly excited when his Nana and Popo come to visit and is sweet to everyone. 

Accommodations for Hudson

Hudson’s unique brain wiring only lets him sleep for 2-3 hours a night, and it quickly became evident that our bedroom arrangement was not sustainable.  At the time of Hudson’s adoption, our house had a loft area next to the boys’ room, so we hired a contractor to enclose the loft and build a bedroom to ensure that Hudson could have his own safe space rather than share a room with his brother.   We outfitted his room with a padded bed made to fit in a corner (Hudson loves corners), a rocking chair (Hudson loves to rock), and lots of books and safe toys for him to explore.  He loves his room!  

After several months of waiting for an appointment with Developmental Pediatrics, we finally received special medical care for Hudson.  He now takes medication to help him sustain sleep and other meds to help with aggression, impulsivity, and severe hyperactivity.  He still struggles a bit, but the meds absolutely help.  Hudson also requires constant supervision and outlets for his hyperactivity.  We installed a pool in our backyard and an in ground trampoline too!  He enjoys both and has a safe place to get some wiggles out.  

Hudson requires a lot of attention and time.  Thankfully, we have resources and a support system to rely on.  Through Developmental Pediatrics and our Insurance, we are allotted 16 hours of Respite per month.  A nurse comes to the house to care for Hudson so we can take a break as a family.  We usually take our other kids to Busch Gardens or to dinner and a movie.  It also gives us the opportunity for self-care and the dedicated time to ensure our other three children get attention.  

Thankfully, our church has a Functional Needs room with an adult buddy for each child.  Every Sunday, we take Hudson, knowing he is well cared for and loved, while we refresh our spirits.  In addition, we take a family trip every year.  Since Hudson joined our family, we have been to Belize, Hawaii, Ireland, and Scotland.  We take a companion for Hudson with us on these big trips.  Gracie is a college student in our church that is absolutely wonderful with Hudson, and he adores her.  She comes with us on these big trips as an extra pair of hands, especially for Hudson.  

The Gift of Adoption includes more than Autism acceptance

We have learned to take each day as it comes through this whole process.  Some days are perfect, and some days are tough.  Sometimes we don’t know how to deal with behaviors and personalities perfectly all the time.  God did not promise us an easy path.  He promised that He would walk beside us on that path.  We have had two unique and challenging adoptions, but I would do it again.  It has made us stronger as a couple and a family.    

Adopt a child with Autism
The Fowler family with their four children, two of whom have Autism.

My husband and I decided to walk this journey of raising Autistic, biological and adopted children together, wherever it took us.  We realize that our family is a team that works together.  Each child, biological or adopted, teaches families about God’s unconditional love for us.  What’s more, each child, biological or adopted, has challenges, and we’ve learned to rely solely on God.  Through all this, we have learned to accept our kid’s for who they are and that God’s plan and timing are perfect.  God never leaves us; we can see it so clearly looking back, we need to trust Him moving forward.  

The process is entirely worth it!  Moreover, adoption will open your heart and mind to a world you didn’t know existed.  The endless paperwork, the waiting for a child, and the wondering and praying are all worth it!  Seeing your child grow and blossom and become who God created them to be is a true blessing – and you get to be a part of that miracle. 

If you are more interested in learning more about adopting a child through CCAI, please visit our adoption page . To inquire about adopting a child with Autism, email us at mail@ccaifamily.org, visit our waiting child profile page or join our private Waiting Children Facebook page.

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GiGi Pleet

Adoption Program Specialist

GiGi Pleet joined CCAI in 2014 as our China Applications Specialist. She rejoined the team in 2022 after taking a few years off to spend time with her family.  GiGi and her husband have adopted three beautiful daughters from China who are the joy and purpose of their lives.  GiGi is passionate about adoption and furthering CCAI’s mission to find loving parents and permanent homes for as many children as possible and to continue reaching out to children left behind.  When she is not working, you can find her spending time with her girls in the beautiful mountains of Colorado or on an adventure to a new, faraway place.
 
Joined CCAI:  Originally 2014 – 2020, rejoined 2022
 
Bucket List Item:  To see all Seven Wonders of the World 

Contact Information

gigi@ccaifamily.org

(303) 850-9998 ext. 300

Emily Straut

The Park Administrative Assistant

Emily was adopted through CCAI in 2002!  Having always admired the ways that the organization continued to support families even after adoption, she began working at The Park last year because she wanted to be more involved in the adoption community and according to her, “It’s been a blast so far!”

Emily is majoring in environmental science at MSU Denver and hopes to help mitigate the causes and effects of climate change. In her free time, she like to practice guitar, play video games, watch movies, and spend time with her friends and family. 

Bucket List: Visit every province in China!

Contact Information

emily@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 170

CO Team Line 4

Ivy Buchanan

The Park Adoptee Program Coordinator

Ivy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Production Design for Film and Theater with a minor in Studio Art. She had the opportunity to study abroad in London, England and Florence, Italy. After graduating, while visiting an orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal she had a moment of realization and knew she wanted to work in the adoption community. After some prior experience in post-adoption and nonprofit management, she came to The Park and is really enjoying focusing on and being involved with offering lifelong support for adoptees and the adoption community.

Ivy was adopted from Kazakhstan at 18-months old and is proud of her adoptee identity and her adoptive family. She is passionate about sharing the stories of the amazing people in the adoption community and helping adoptees celebrate their identities. Her lifelong best friend was adopted from China through CCAI. 

In her free time, she enjoys making art (she is working on a series of sculptural paintings of poached animal species), trying new food, catching up with friends, reading, and being with family. She loves to travel whenever possible.

Joined CCAI: 2023

Top Bucket List Items:

  • A trail ride through “Middle Earth” in New Zealand
  • Volunteering for a few weeks at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
  • Sleeping in a hammock on a beach

Contact Information

ivy@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 205

CO Team Line 1

Colorado Expenses

ExpenseAmountPmt MethodPay ToDue
Application Fee$250Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIApplication submission
Child Abuse Record Search$35/FamilyCheckCO Dept of Human ServiceApplication submission
IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee$500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAI (Sent to IAAME)After App Approval
First Program Fee (Includes Home Study)$5,700Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIAfter App Approval
CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search$39.50 per personMoney OrderColorado Bureau of InvestigationAfter App Approval
USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting$775 plus $85/adultCheck/Money OrderUS Dept. of Homeland SecurityUpon I-800A submission
Dossier PreparationApprox. $450-$900Check/Money OrderSecretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s)As preparing Dossier
Second Program Fee$5,050Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIDossier Submission
CCCWA Fee$1,270Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIDossier Submission
Third Program Fee$5,500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee$300Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Court Validation Deposit$200CheckCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable)$450Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Visa to enter China$140 (plus courier fee)Check/Credit CardChinese Consulate via a courier/travel agencyApproximately one month before travel to China
US Domestic & International Airfare$1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket)Credit CardA travel agency/airline of your choice

Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure

In China Travel & AccommodationsApprox. $4,000-$4,400 for two adultsACH WithdrawalCCAI (wired to China)Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure
Adoption Registration and Notarization$800 – $1,000CashLocal government in ChinaIn China
Orphanage Donation(Voluntary)Cash or WireOrphanageIn China
Child’s Passport$100-$150CashLocal passport agencyIn China
Food$700 – $800 per coupleCash/Credit CardHotel(s), restaurant(s)In China
Child Physical & Photo$130-$150CashClinicIn Guangzhou, China
Child U.S. Entry Visa$325Cash or CheckU.S. ConsulateIn China
Court Validation Fee$167CheckCounty CourtAfter U.S. Return
Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate$37.75CheckColorado Vital Statistics OfficeAfter U.S. Return
Lutheran Family Services$250CheckLutheran Family Services via CCAIWhen Home Study is approved by CCAI