Naomi, Malachi Need A Committed Family

Naomi, 5, and Malachi, 6, illustrate the potential for healing in children who have been abused and neglected in their birth family. But they need a committed, permanent family.

Both children have difficulty understanding personal boundaries and safe behaviors. Malachi sometimes displays opposition to adults, is aggressive with other children and destructive of his toys.

Their adoptive family will need to allocate considerable time to helping them, and be strong advocates for counseling and educational services. They will need to parent routinely with calmness, patience and love - a family with understanding of the troublesome and sometimes baffling behaviors associated with abuse and neglect.

Naomi and Malachi, of African-American and Caucasian heritage, have post traumatic stress disorder and participate in weekly play therapy.

Naomi is taking medication for hyperactivity.

Any other children in the adoptive family should be older.

Readers interested in Naomi and Malachi can call the Northwest Adoption Exchange, 292-0082. For other questions about adoption, call Adoption Information Service, 325-9500. For information on becoming foster parents, call 721-4527. For adoption education, call the Adoption Resource Center, 524-6020.