Developmental issues for young children in foster care

Greater numbers of young children with complicated, serious physical health , mental health, or developmental problems are entering foster care during the early years when brain growth is most active. Every effort should be ma de to make foster care a positive experience and a healing process for the child. Threats to a child's development from abuse and neglect should be un derstood by all participants in the child welfare system. Pediatricians hav e an important role in assessing the child's needs, providing comprehensive services, and advocating on the child's behalf. The developmental issues important for young children in foster care are re viewed, including: 1) the implications and consequences of abuse, neglect, and placement in foster care on early brain development; 2) the importance and challenges of establishing a child's attachment to caregivers; 3) the i mportance of considering a child's changing sense of time in all aspects of the foster care experience; and 4) the child's response to stress. Additio nal topics addressed relate to parental roles and kinship care, parent-chil d contact, permanency decision-making, and the components of comprehensive assessment and treatment of a child's development and mental health needs.