This curious little boy loves playing with remote controlled cars, as well as puzzles and Legos. He has been with his foster family since January 2007 and reportedly can help himself with his routine activities with the supervision of his foster mother. In late 2006, Jackson had seizures caused by a subdural hematoma and was prescribed ongoing medication, which he no longer takes. He began walking without support soon after joining his foster family. Jackson also quickly began regular speech therapy sessions, which he is still receiving once a month as he still has difficulty putting words together into sentences though his vocabulary is increasing. Jackson recently started receiving education from his foster mother, since his school did not have the resources needed to help him catch up academically. The Waiting Child Program Manager, on a March 2011 visit, noted that he gets along well with his foster brother, who is a few years older, and that he can get easily distracted by a new toy and throws a tantrum when he does not get his way. Recently Jackson stopped taking ADHD medication which did not affect his behavior, and he is noted as doing better in expressing himself verbally rather than throwing tantrums. He can say a few words and phrases, but uses gestures and pointing if he cannot express himself. He is able to walk, run, and climb stairs well, though with an awkward gait for which he received hip muscle exercises, and his right side is a bit weaker than his left. Jackson enjoys playing with peers, and will talk more when with them. A prospective adoptive family should have parented past his age, preferably with adoption experience, have access to the medical and developmental resources he needs, and be well versed in the lifelong impacts of child trauma.

To adopt this child, there should be no more than 45 years age difference between the younger parent and the child. Families with no more than 2 children in the home preferred, though there may be flexibility on a case-by-case basis. * See country criteria for complete requirements.