Foster Care: Are There Differences in the Cognitive and Psychiatric Characteristics of Young Children With Developmental Disabilities in Kinship vs. Non-Kinship Homes?
Maria Valicenti-McDermott, M.D., M.S. & Howard B. Demb, M.D.

This study compares developmental, psychiatric diagnosis and global assessment of functioning of 82 young foster children who present for evaluation of a developmental disability from kinship and non-kinship homes. The children in kinship homes (n=42) had been with their foster parents longer (3.2 yrs. vs. 1.2 yrs. p<0.001) before being referred for evaluation. There were no significant differences regarding types of developmental disabilities, psychiatric diagnosis or global assessment of functioning between the groups. There was a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders. Children with developmental disabilities in kinship homes may be as emotionally and developmentally involved as children in non-kinship homes.