Susan Badeau (Sue) writes and speaks extensively on topics related to children, particularly those with special needs and is a frequent and passionate keynote speaker and workshop leader at state, regional and national conferences. Sue and her husband, Hector, are the lifetime parents of twenty-two children, two by birth and twenty adopted (three children who had terminal illnesses, are now deceased). They have also served as foster parents for more than 50 children in three states, and as a host family for refugee youth from Sudan, Kosovo and Guatemala.

They have won numerous awards for their work, including being recognized by President Clinton with an “Adoption Excellence” award, and receiving an “Angels in Adoption” award from Congress; both of these awards were for their work on behalf of adoption and children in foster care. Sue and Hector are also authors – we’ll talk more about that in a bit.

The Badeau family children come from many ethnicities and personal backgrounds. Some children were adopted at birth; others were teenagers when they joined the family. Some are from the United States; others are from countries around the world. Some have mental, physical, intellectual, or emotional challenges.

I first became acquainted with Sue through our shared work on the Board of Directors of the Association for Training in Trauma and Attachment in Children. She and I have gone on to present trainings together to teach therapists how to better work with our kids. I love Sue. She is an amazing font of knowledge and graciousness, and I am honored to call her a colleague and friend.

Learn more about Sue at www.suebadeau.com