(I) Before a child is adopted its mental and physical potential should be roughly assessed. (II) This is in order that the tragedy of unintentionally adopting a mentally subnormal or physically handicapped child can be avoided. (III)Such an assessment can be made with a fair degree of accuracy in the first few months. (IV) This is an instance of emotional deprivation which retards ail aspects of development. (V) Occasionally, of course, mistakes can occur, for some babies are "late starters".