Josh is an adorable child who is full of smiles. He always greets people with excitement and affection. Born in 1996, Josh loves animals. He goes horseback riding and loves to swim and play in the water and spends lots of time outside. He also likes to be involved with house projects such as building or feeding the animals on the farm where he lives with his foster family.

Josh has several brothers and sisters in his foster family. He gets along well with both older and younger children. Josh has a special bond with his foster family, and this connection will be important to maintain.

He has made gains behaviorally and has learned sign language while being a part of a caring and supportive family. Josh was born with cerebral palsy; he is nonverbal and small for his age. Josh makes many noises and uses sign language to communicate. He displays an obvious desire to verbalize. His treatment team has been working with providers to better understand his complex needs.

Being nonverbal affects our understanding of Josh’s mental capabilities. He has excellent receptive language skills and understands much of what is occurring around him. He receives educational and therapeutic supports as well as regular assessment with the goal of helping him develop into the highest-functioning child he can be.

Josh is a happy child. He greets family members and friends with hugs at the door and loves to take a new friend by the hand to show them his home. Josh is a high-energy child who requires constant supervision. He would do well with a two-parent family with experience or education in caring for a child with a high level of special needs. Josh has the potential to continue to gain skills in many areas of life. He likes lots of attention and engaging with others. He needs a family that will work with providers and his school toward this potential.

Josh is one of 147 children in Maine Department of Health and Human Services care who seek an adoptive family. Based in Gardiner, A Family for ME is a nonprofit program that works in collaboration with Maine DHHS to find foster and adoptive families for Maine children in care. For information about children available for adoption, contact A Family for ME toll free at 877-505-0545 or visit www.AFamilyForMe.org and see photographs of children awaiting a “forever family’ “