This study aimed to understand how parents who adopt children with special needs perceive and experience these adoptions. These adoptions are considered necessary because these children are the least wanted by adopters, which leads to reflections about what would be the true meaning of adoption: finding a family for abandoned children or meet the needs of people who decide to adopt. A script was used to guide interviews with five mothers and one father. After transcription, interviews were analyzed by theme. Results show the dedication of parents with their children; the powerful force of prejudice; and the need to provide social support to parents. The conclusion is that the studied adoptions are been satisfactorily conducted, which suggest that the adoption of children with special needs can generate satisfaction despite the challenges it presents.
adopted children; family structure; disabled