Institutional Autism is not a genetically induced Autism like most diagnosed here in the States, but one learned from years of neglect and sensory deprivation. Dr. Federici, a renowned adoption psychologist has done a vast amount of research on this topic and written numerous articles. He and M. Rutter, am American Psychologist indicate some of the major symptoms of institutional autism as:
• Sensory and social deprivation can result in the autistic-like behaviors.
• These behaviors may diminish after the child is removed from the initial deprived environment.
• A substantial minority of children will continue to exhibit these difficult behavior patterns for …read more

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is VERY Real in adopted children. Change in caretakers, environment, food, people, and simply the change in stimulation level cause anxiety and panic in post institutionalized children. Dr. Ronald Federici, a neuropsychologist who specializes in adopted children from Eastern European countries and has several adopted children himself comments here.