top of page
Walk Together
Walk Together focuses entirely on adoption in the UK, supporting mothers, fathers, children, and anyone connected to the adoption journey. We understand that adoption can be emotional, complex, rewarding, and challenging all at once, and our aim is to create a space where every part of that experience is acknowledged.
We publish weekly blogs covering everything and anything to do with adoption: family life, identity, attachment, school, trauma, birth family contact, and the realities of parenting before, during, and after adoption. If there’s a topic you’d love us to explore or an area where you feel more guidance is needed, please get in touch. We’d be very happy to add your ideas to our content plan.
When the scrutiny doesn't stop | adoptive parents and the weight of social worker expectations
Many adoptive parents also report feeling held to a standard of parenting that goes beyond what would ever be expected of a birth parent. The implication, sometimes explicit and sometimes not, is that because you chose this, because you were assessed and approved and matched, you should be able to manage whatever arises. The reality, of course, is that no amount of preparation fully equips a person for the lived experience of parenting a child with complex developmental traum
7 days ago5 min read
Your child's fear of not meeting your expectations | what's really going on beneath the surface
For many adopted children, the early experience of being separated from a birth family, regardless of the reasons, carries an implicit message. Not a rational one, not one that anyone intended, but one that the child's developing mind has constructed in the only way it can: I was left because I was not enough. Because I was too much. Because something about me made it impossible for the people who were supposed to keep me, to keep me.
Mar 278 min read
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) in adopted children | when the world feels like it's always saying no
Rejection sensitivity dysphoria is an intense emotional response to the perception, real or imagined, of being criticised, rejected, or failing to meet expectations. The word "dysphoria" is key here: this is not just feeling a bit upset. It is a sudden, overwhelming wave of emotional pain that can feel completely unbearable in the moment.
Mar 135 min read
From effort to ease: How regulation changes across development
A young child might become dysregulated by background noise, hunger, waiting their turn, or moving between activities. Transitions that seem minor to adults can require significant effort from a child whose regulatory systems are still developing. When that effort builds without enough support, the child’s capacity is quickly exceeded, and distress shows itself in ways that can look disproportionate to the situation.
Feb 138 min read
Finding families for children with disabilities: Introducing the South West Permanence Project
This blog is for anyone considering adoption who may not yet realise that they could be the right match for a child with disabilities. You do not need specialist qualifications or medical expertise. You simply need openness, compassion, and a willingness to learn, qualities many adoptive parents already bring.
Nov 20, 20253 min read
Autism in adopted children: Understanding the sensory, social and emotional layers
Autism sits within the broader concept of neurodiversity, which recognises that all brains develop and function differently. Just as there is diversity in culture, personality, and learning style, there is diversity in neurology. Neurodiversity includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and more - all reflecting natural variation in human cognition.
Nov 14, 202510 min read
Understanding ADHD in adopted children: When attention and attachment intertwine
ADHD often has a genetic component, which means that many birth families share the condition across generations. In adoptive families, however, this pattern is different. While a child’s ADHD will not be inherited from their adoptive parents, it is possible that both a parent and a child may live with ADHD independently.
Nov 7, 20257 min read
When their body says no: Understanding shutdowns, freeze responses and emotional numbing in adopted children
Imagine a child in school being asked to read aloud in front of the class. The task feels overwhelming, and the body reacts instantly. The child stares at the page, unable to move or respond, their system frozen in a protective state. This is not a conscious decision. It is the body’s way of saying, “This is too much."
Sep 26, 20258 min read
Why sensory regulation matters: Helping adopted children thrive through body-based practices
Sensory regulation is the ability to process and respond to sensory information. It plays a critical role in how children feel, behave, and connect. For adopted children, especially those who have experienced early adversity, this regulation process is often disrupted. Understanding why can help you meet their needs with more clarity and compassion.
Aug 15, 20257 min read
The neuroscience of regulation in adopted children
In the last decade, neuroscience has begun to catch up with what adoptive families have been living for years. We now have clearer, more precise insight into how early adversity impacts the developing brain, not just structurally, but in the way children experience emotion, stress, and safety. And just as importantly, we now understand more about what helps.
Aug 1, 20257 min read
Supporting young children through contact: A calm and informed approach
For adoptive parents, few things feel as delicate or as loaded as helping a young child navigate contact with their birth family. It is not just about managing logistics or following what was agreed in a contact plan. It is about guiding a child through something they can feel but may not yet fully understand.
Jul 25, 202510 min read
Adoption and mental health: navigating post-adoption depression
Similar to postpartum depression, PAD can bring feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, and exhaustion, making it difficult to bond with their
Feb 7, 20255 min read
Understanding sensory processing disorder in adopted children
This neurological condition affects how the brain receives, interprets, and responds to sensory input.
Jan 31, 20256 min read
Adoption and neurodiversity: ADHD, autism, and supporting unique needs
This article provides an evidence-based exploration of how to support neurodivergent children in adoptive families.
Jan 18, 20255 min read
Understanding the critical period
Building trust and attachment in adopted children can be a gradual process, especially for those who have experienced early disruptions.
Oct 25, 20248 min read
The Intertwinement of adoption and PTSD
For a number of adopted children, their early experiences can leave lasting marks, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Oct 16, 20249 min read
bottom of page