How to Show Adoption, Foster Children and Step-Parents on a Genogram

Show how a child joined the family in GenogramAI: click the line just above the child and pick a Child type. Adopted is a dashed line, and you can add the adoption year; Foster is dotted; Step is for a step-parent's child (Donor is also available). Each type is added to the key. You can also ask the AI assistant, for example: "Sofia was adopted in 1999."

How do you show adoption, foster care, or a stepchild on a genogram? Click the line just above the child. Under child type, choose Adopted.

The line turns dashed, and you can add the adoption year. Foster is dotted. Step is for a step-parent's child.

Pick the one that fits, and it's added to the key. Or just ask AI: Sofia was adopted in 1999. Done.

The full genogram tutorial builds a four-generation genogram from a blank canvas in under three minutes. For symbols and notation, see the genogram symbols guide, or read how to make a genogram step by step.