Photolisting Profile for Antonio

Antonio is a 9-year-old boy from North Carolina who is hoping to be adopted.

Antonio’s foster mom says, “He is my boy.” She loves how open and affectionate he is, never failing to give her a big hug. Antonio is bright and friendly with a child-like innocence in his eagerness to discover new things. He recently enjoyed bringing home some gems from a school field trip to a national park. Antonio is a bit small for his age, but strong, and his youth team coaches have already remarked on how athletic he is. Spider Man is his hero and he enjoys playing with the action figure. Antonio loves to draw and would likely benefit from some structured lessons to prevent his frustration when he doesn’t draw something “exactly right.” He also loves playing outdoors and using his new camera to take photos. Antonio is terrific about helping his foster mom out with chores around the house such as watering the plants, helping with laundry, and taking out the trash. Antonio attends regular classes at school where staying still and focused are very challenging for him. He is a smart child, although his IQ is higher than his current academic skills indicate. Antonio performs better in smaller class sizes with lots of structure and organized instruction. Otherwise, behavioral and emotional difficulties can negatively impact his academic performance and relationships. Antonio is working on being more compliant and less “wiggly” in class, and has made progress in this area. Antonio is very mannerly and helpful in his foster home where he likes and understands his boundaries and limitations, unlike school and daycare, which present a more chaotic environment. Antonio is happier and more secure with parents who are authoritative and strict, yet still loving and nurturing, with him. He needs lots of individual attention and positive reinforcement. Antonio needs adoptive parents who will not be easily frustrated and be a calming influence in his life.