Prenatal life and adoption

In the UK and the United States, an estimated 1 in 200 children are born into care or given up for adoption at birth.

While a successful adoption is the best outcome under the circumstances, the pre- and perinatal perspective of the infant is rarely taken into account on the basis that the child may begin life with loss, but that they are too young to remember.

This course considers not only the experience of the unborn child in these situations, but also the several unconscious, defensive adaptations birth mothers may make to anticipated loss, and what impact these measures may have on the baby inside her. What does the baby then bring to the next relationship—with the adoptive parents—and how is that relationship affected, in ways often profoundly surprising to the second family?

Sharing his clinical experience and presenting case studies, Michael Trout opens the discussion around above questions and show ways how we can support adopted children, birth mothers and adoptive parents as they try to cope with unusual child behaviors and affects, including resistance to attachment. Reflective questions encourage the viewer to engage in their own thinking process around these topics.

Michael Trout is a psychologist, author and researcher in the field of infant mental health. Micheal worked with children and families in private practice for 46 years.

In this interactive course, Michael will discuss:

the perspective of the unborn of a mother who will give up her child for adoption
the clinical and developmental significance for the baby
how to discover the infant's narrative
the mental and emotional processes the mother goes through and the impact on the unborn
the perspective of the adoptive parents
how we can provide support

The story of Marilyn, now age 50, adopted at birth

The story of Rudy adopted at age two, after multiple foster placements

The story of Kendall adopted at birth

Challenging Preconceived Notions
Michael encourages challenging the idea that adoption is an innocuous process, emphasising the deep emotional impacts on birth mothers and children. He argues that the adoption industry often oversimplifies these experiences, making it difficult to address the true complexities involved.

The Adoption Triad
The concept of the adoption triad—birth mother, adopted child, and adoptive family—is introduced as a framework for understanding the interconnected experiences and challenges faced by each party. Michael stresses the importance of studying and supporting all three components to improve the adoption process.

Disruption in Adoption
Michael highlights the issue of disruption in adoption, where children often go through multiple placements before finding a permanent home. Each disruption can cause significant harm to the child, underscoring the need for better support and understanding within the adoption system.

The Experience of the Unborn Child
The course explores the idea that unborn children may have experiences and memories that affect them later in life. This challenges the notion that infants are blank slates and suggests that prenatal experiences can have lasting impacts.

Memory and Adaptation
Michael discusses the concept of memory in the context of adoption, suggesting that even unborn children may have memories that influence their behavior and adaptation. This idea is supported by examples from ethology and child psychoanalytic theory.

The Story of Marilyn
The course includes a detailed case study of Marilyn, a woman who was adopted at birth and struggled with feelings of smallness and insignificance throughout her life. Her story illustrates the profound and lasting impacts of prenatal experiences and the importance of understanding and addressing these issues.

The Importance of Coherent Narratives
Michael emphasises the need for adopted children to have coherent narratives that help them make sense of their experiences and identities. Without these narratives, children may struggle with feelings of incoherence and disconnection.

Adolescence and Adoption
The challenges of adolescence for adopted children are discussed, highlighting the difficulties of individuation and separation when there is no firm foundation of identity. Michael suggests that adopted adolescents may struggle more with these developmental tasks.

The Case of Rudy
Michael presents the case of Rudy, a young adopted child with behavioral challenges. He uses Rudy's story to illustrate the importance of understanding the underlying experiences and emotions that drive behavior in adopted children.

The Impact of Birth Mother's Experience
Michael discusses how the experiences and emotions of the birth mother can be transmitted to the child, affecting their behavior and development.
Understanding the birth mother's story is crucial for supporting the adopted child.

The Role of Adoptive Parents
The importance of adoptive parents in helping children understand and integrate their experiences is highlighted. Michael suggests that adoptive parents can play a crucial role in providing the support and coherence that adopted children need.

The Need for Empathy and Understanding
Michael emphasises the need for empathy and understanding in the adoption process, encouraging all parties to consider the experiences and emotions of the others involved. This empathy can help create a more supportive and cohesive adoption experience.

Kendall’s Story
Kendall’s case illustrates the impact of the traumas adoptive parents can carry on the relationship with the adopted child.

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Entry/intermediate level
100 course minutes
Power Point Presentations
Life time access
Certificate of Attendance on request

who can this benefit

Clinicians and educators trying to understand the behaviour of children and adults whose adoption history has been overlooked or discounted
Psychologists and social workers trying to respond to the cries for help of adoptive parents complaining about sudden or recurrent problems that seem to “come out of the blue”
Physicians trying to uncover the causes of several medical problems, throughout life, that may be related to the body’s efforts to grapple with unarticulated grief
Child welfare officials—both those in decision-making positions and those in policy-making roles—who may long for principles that could guide their daily work
adoptive parents
anyone wishing to gain an insight into the prenatal perspective of adoption at birth

learning outcomes

Participants will be able to set aside convenient diagnostic categories, and consider etiological factors in a child’s behaviour they had not hitherto considered
Participants will be able to better support both birth mothers and adoptive parents as they try to cope with unusual child behaviours and affects, including resistance to attachment
Participants in a position to deliver clinical services will be able to support adopted children for whom the usual treatments (medications, behavioural strategies) have not worked. Each participant will practice this new capability by writing a narrative for an adopted child currently under care.

£30

One off payment

Includes :

Life Time access to course materials

£199/yr

Billed annually

Includes :

life Time access to course materials
Access to all our Live and Recorded classes for 1 year
Access to Monthly Support Groups
20% discount on all other courses

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short course

Prenatal life and adoption

The Baby’s Perspective of Being Relinquished

Michael Trout

COURSE CONTENT