The adoption symbol in genograms uses a dashed or dotted line from the adoptive parents to the child, distinguishing the adoptive relationship from a biological connection (shown with a solid line). This notation captures the dual family system that adopted individuals navigate and is essential for mapping identity, attachment, and belonging.
Biological Child
Solid line
Adopted Child
Dashed line
Adoption: dashed line from parents to child (vs. solid for biological)
How Adoption Is Shown in a Genogram
In standard genogram notation, an adopted child is connected to their adoptive parents by a dashed or dotted vertical line descending from the parents' horizontal marriage line. This contrasts with the solid line used for biological children. The child's symbol (square for male, circle for female) remains unchanged—the line style is what differentiates biological from adoptive relationships.
When both biological and adoptive parents are known, the child may appear in two locations on the genogram: connected to the biological parents with a solid line and to the adoptive parents with a dashed line. This dual placement reflects the lived reality of adopted individuals who belong to two family systems.
Standard Notation
According to McGoldrick, Gerson, and Petry: "A dashed line from the parents to the child indicates an adoptive or foster relationship." The adoptive parents are shown with the standard marriage line, and the child descends from it via the dashed connection. Biological parents, if known, can be shown separately.
Types of Non-Biological Parent-Child Connections
Genograms can represent several types of non-biological parent-child relationships, each with its own notation:
Legal Adoption
A dashed vertical line from adoptive parents to child. The child has been legally adopted and the adoptive parents have full parental rights.
Foster Child
A dotted vertical line indicates a foster relationship—a temporary legal arrangement where the child may eventually return to biological parents or be adopted.
Legal Guardian
Legal guardianship without formal adoption is sometimes shown with a dashed line and a "G" annotation. The guardian has legal authority but has not adopted the child.
Biological Connection
A solid vertical line always indicates a biological parent-child relationship. This is the default connection and does not require annotation.
Biological vs. Adoptive Parents
One of the most important clinical distinctions in adoption genograms is the representation of both the biological and adoptive family systems. The biological parents (also called birth parents) are connected to the child with a solid line, while the adoptive parents use a dashed line. If the biological parents are unknown, the solid line may connect to a question mark or an empty symbol with "unknown" noted.
In open adoptions, where the adopted person has contact with birth parents, both family systems may be fully mapped. In closed adoptions, the biological side may be partially or entirely blank, with question marks indicating unknown information. This visual gap on the genogram can itself become a therapeutic conversation point about identity and belonging.
Clinical Significance
Adoption carries profound clinical implications that genograms help to map and explore:
Identity development: Adopted individuals may struggle with questions of "Who am I?" and "Where do I come from?" The genogram makes these dual connections visible
Attachment patterns: Early separation from biological parents can affect attachment security; the genogram contextualizes when the adoption occurred and under what circumstances
Search for biological parents: Many adopted individuals search for their birth families; the genogram provides a framework for integrating discovered information
Loyalty conflicts: Adopted children may feel torn between biological and adoptive families, especially in open adoptions or reunion situations
Genetic medical history: The biological side of the genogram is crucial for understanding inherited health risks that the adoptive family cannot provide
Sibling dynamics: Relationships between adopted and biological children in the same family can be complex and are clarified by the genogram's visual structure
Pattern Recognition
When mapping adoption, explore patterns across generations: Has adoption occurred in previous generations? Were there unwanted pregnancies that led to adoption? How has the family narrative framed the adoption—as a gift, a loss, or a secret? These multigenerational patterns shape the adopted person's sense of identity and belonging.
How to Add Adoption in GenogramAI
Steps to Indicate an Adoptive Relationship:
1Add the child to the genogram canvas
2Connect the child to the adoptive parents
3Select the connection line and change the type to "Adopted"
4The line changes from solid to dashed automatically
5Optionally add the biological parents and connect with a solid line
Special Cases
Step-Parent Adoption
When a step-parent legally adopts a spouse's child, the child gains a dashed line to the step-parent and retains the solid line to the biological parent who remained in the family. The other biological parent (whose rights were terminated) may still appear on the genogram with appropriate notation.
Kinship Adoption
Kinship adoption occurs when a relative (grandparent, aunt, uncle) formally adopts a child. The child already appears in the genogram as a biological relative, so the dashed adoptive line is added alongside the existing biological connection. This dual representation accurately reflects the child's multiple roles within the family system.
International Adoption
For international adoptions, the biological family is often entirely unknown. The genogram may show the child connected only to the adoptive parents via a dashed line, with the biological side blank or marked with question marks. Cultural heritage can be noted near the child's symbol (e.g., country of origin, ethnicity) to acknowledge the significance of cultural identity.
Open vs. Closed Adoption
In open adoptions, annotate the level of contact between the child and biological family members. Some practitioners use emotional relationship lines (close, distant, conflictual) between the child and known biological relatives to capture the quality of ongoing relationships. In closed adoptions, note "closed" near the biological connection to indicate that information and contact are restricted.
How do I show both biological and adoptive parents?
Place the child in two locations on the genogram: connected to biological parents with a solid line and to adoptive parents with a dashed line. Alternatively, draw both sets of lines to the same child symbol, using solid for biological and dashed for adoptive connections. The dual representation is clinically important for understanding the adopted person's full family context.
What if the biological parents are unknown?
Use question marks or empty symbols (square/circle without a name) connected to the child by a solid line to represent unknown biological parents. This acknowledges that biological parents exist even when their identity is unknown and leaves space for information that may be discovered later.
How do I indicate the age at adoption?
Note the adoption age near the dashed line or the child's symbol (e.g., "adopted at age 2"). The age at adoption is clinically significant because it affects attachment formation—children adopted in infancy typically have different attachment patterns than those adopted later in childhood.
Should I include failed adoption placements?
Yes, disrupted or dissolved adoptions should be noted on the genogram, as they represent significant losses for the child. Use the dashed line with a slash through it (similar to divorce notation) and note "disrupted" or "dissolved" with the date. These failed placements affect the child's ability to trust and attach in subsequent relationships.
How do I differentiate between adoption and foster care?
Adoption uses a dashed line; foster care uses a dotted line. Adoption is permanent and legal, while foster care is typically temporary. If a foster child is later adopted, the dotted line changes to a dashed line, and both dates can be noted to show the progression of the relationship.
How do I show a child raised by grandparents without formal adoption?
Use a dashed line with a "G" (guardian) annotation to indicate informal guardianship or kinship care. The child's biological connection (solid line) to their parents remains, and the grandparent-child line captures the functional parenting relationship without implying legal adoption.