Its exactly as Loski and Milty have said... they give worst case scenario so that they can see how committed you are, determine whether you are strong enough, so that you don't quit half way through, so there are no 'surprises' etc etc. I can see the sense, but I think that they should also encourage the many many positives. Yes there may be medical issues, there may be with a birth child, yes there can be behavioural issues, there can be with a birth child, there can be challenging times, there can be with a birth child. I understand that they may stem from different things and have to be tackled differently, but there are never guarentees with anything. Children should not be catagorised and reading my post I have put a lot of 'can' and 'mays' It uis not set in stone and you will discuss with a SW what you think you could and couldn't handle. Do not feel you ought to agree with a more complex child than you feel able, it would do no one any good.
They are also very interested in finding people for 'hard to place' children, children with SEN, sibling groups or those who are older. There are more in the care system and so they have to encourage adopters to consider. This does not mean that there are not younger children or healthy children waiting. Most of those I have spoken to on different forums have adopted children under 2, and when we went to an open evening with VA they said that times are changing and younger children are now being placed more frequently.
I am off to read your journal. Don't be afraid to approach different agencies if you are not happy
Loski, they will love you! It must be so scary, waiting and letting it build in your mind, but I have no doubt you will be back here next week posting lots of

and

!!!!