The following is a list of questions to ask your child's caregivers while you are at the orphanage at the time of adoption. They attempt to obtain information which is necessary and/or useful in preparing for your life with your new child.

The questions were contributed by A-PARENT-RUSS list members Rory Porth and Eldon Romney. They were compiled, with additions, by Clark Pickett and Cynthia Teeters, list and website co-administrators.

1. Medical Concerns:
   • What vaccinations have been administered to the child?
     • Polio
     • Diphtheria/Tetanus
     • Chicken Pox
     • Small Pox
     • Measles
     • Tuberculosis
     • Other
   • What tests have been given to the child?
     • HIV
     • Hepatitis A,B,C
     • Other
   • What medical problems are known?
     • Allergies
     • Heart condition
     • Other
     • What normally happens when he/she gets sick?
   • Did any of the shots (or other treatments) leave marks on the child's skin?
2. Food:
   • List of foods liked/disliked, allergic (generally for older kids)
   • List of menus generally used
   • Recipes of any favorite Russian meals
   • What has been the feeding schedule?
   • What is the quantity at feedings?
   • Were the children ever given treats?
     • What were they?
     • When or why were they given?
3. Description of Daily Activities:
   • What time does the child generally get up?
   • When is bathing ? (AM / PM, how frequent)
   • How are the children bathed? (Tub/shower/sponge bath)
   • Please describe hair washing.
   • Does the child brush his/her own teeth?
     • If so, when? (AM/PM/both)
     • Does he/she need assistance in brushing?
   • When does he/she go to the potty? (Get times, if on a regular schedule.)
   • What are the child's routine responsibilities? How is the child handling these?
   • If school age, when and where does the child go to school?
   • What is/are play time(s)?
   • What are play time activities (Toys, outside play, etc.)
   • When is/are nap time(s)? (Both go to sleep and wake up)
   • When is/are evening bed time(s)?
4. Developmental Information:
   • What educational toys has the child used?
   • Is the child cognizant of different shapes / colors / letters / numbers?
   • What is the child's emotional development?
   • Does the child prefer to have a favorite toy or "security blanket" with him/her?
   • What are the child's favorite songs, activities, games?
   • If in school:
     • What is the child's reading / writing level?
     • What are the child's favorite school subjects?
     • Can I obtain the child's workbooks?
5. Behavior:
   • Is the child generally quiet and reserved or boisterous and busy?
   • Does the child have any known fears, problems, issues, concerns?
   • Does he/she act differently when feeling ill, scared, etc.?
   • Is there special way to comfort him/her when sick or tired or scared?
   • Is there any special treatment or method to get him/her to sleep, eat, nap, wash, etc.?
   • How does the child act when left alone?
   • Does the child get along with:
     • Other children?
     • Adult females? Males?
     • Animals (pets)?
   • Is the child a favorite among orphanage caregivers?
   • Is the child ticklish?
6. General:
   • Does the child have any religious training/baptisms, records?
   • What has been the child's travel experience?
   • Are there any other extenuating circumstances in their history?
   • What can you tell me about his/her parents?
   • Why is he/she in this orphanage?
   • How long has he/she been here?
   • Are any of his/her family known and where do they live?
   • Was the child ever visited by anyone?
   • Do you know if the child has (other) siblings?
   • Do you know any physical or artistic characteristics of other birth family members?
   • Would you be willing to contact us if you became aware of additional birth family history or the existence of siblings?
   • Would you be willing to include in the child's file information that we provide in case a birth family member wished information about the child?
     • If yes, what information from us do you suggest?
     • To whom would you give the information?
   • Is it possible to maintain contact with his/her best friends from the orphanage?
   • Get Names/Addresses/Phone numbers of:
     • Caregivers
     • Doctors
     • Facilitators
     • Other contacts you may need later
   • Do any of the caregivers wish to write a personal letter which would be safeguarded until the child was old enough to read it?
     • Would it be possible to take a picture of the letter's author to accompany the letter?
     • [If an older child is being adopted, this request could be extended to the child's friends.]
   • When we send you letters and pictures, is there anything in particular about our child's new life that we should make sure we include?
   • Is there anything we can do or possibly have done by others for the Detsky Dom?

Try to photograph the child's file or get copies of it.

Bring additional photos of your home, family, etc. to show caregivers/officials. You may want to leave some with them.

Obviously these are only suggestions and you may choose not to ask some of them. It may be wise to have your list of questions pre-approved by your agency before travel. If any are rejected, though, make sure you get a complete explanation for why.

Remember, this is your time for full disclosure. If you don't get the answers for you and your child now, you probably never will.