Priscilla,
Do you have access to a Breastfeeding Answer Book?  It contains an
excellent section about talking to mothers considering induced
lactation. Exploring with this mom about her reasons for breastfeeding
and what she would define as breastfeeding success is just as important
as giving her the nuts and bolts of inducing a milk supply.
The BAB says that a baby's willingness to nurse at the breast and
ability to suck depends on age, interest, adaptability, sucking needs,
distractibility, basic temperament, and previous feeding experiences. A
five month old who has been relocated to a new culture, and who might be
about ready to start tasting solid foods may be neither interested nor
adaptable. On the other hand, a gentle, sensitive mom who offers her
breast for the ultimate in comfort may be the best thing that's ever
happened to this baby.
The younger the baby, the more willing she will be to nurse at the
breast.  The BAB says that babies younger than three months and
those who had been previously breastfed are more willing, but that
the most crucial factors are time, patience, and persistence
(Auerbach and Avery, 1980).
Help the mom look for other adoptive breastfeeding mothers for
information and support on another level.
Certainly, giving the mom the information she needs while at the same
time helping her to be in perspective about nursing an adopted five
month old is a real test of one's counseling skill, compassion and
gentle understanding.  Best of luck.

Diane, LLLL in VT