Prepare Your Family For Respite Care
Communication is a critical part of a healthy family. Before you alter routines by engaging a respite care worker, ensure that everyone knows whats happening and why.
Prepare the person heading into respite by:
- Explaining the plan. Outline why youre investing in respite.
- Adding appointments to schedules. Write down respite opportunities on your familys calendar, and add them to the persons daily reminder calendar. Dont spring this event on the person.
- Introducing the respite worker. Ensure that the person knows who is in charge, and allow for a smooth handoff between the family and the respite program.
For some families, the hardest part of using an autism respite program is letting go of core responsibilities. Its very difficult to hand off someone you love to a new person and walk away to enjoy yourself.
Prepare yourself for respite by:
Respite care is a wonderful way for families to stay connected, healthy, and calm. Find a program that works, and youll wonder how you ever lived without it.
How To Prepare Your Children For Respite Care
Respite Care Resources For Autism Caregivers
Alden Village North Respite Program 7464 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626
To refer a child for care at AHK Naperville or AHK Chicago, please contact: Layenie Anderson, Director of Case Management at .
Provides transitional, respite and respite transportation care for children who are technology assisted or have complex medical needs. Can provide emergency respite stays for child with medical complexities for families who are faced with unforeseen emergencies.
1116 N. Kedzie Avenue Chicago, IL 60651Behavioral Health Receptionist:
Offers free bilingual, primary and psychiatric care for participants with mental illness, developmental disabilities or co-occurring disorders. Respite care open to individuals with developmental disabilities, all ages, based on state criteria from DD. Funding becomes available at beginning of fiscal year, July 1st, and is offered until it is depleted. Parents must supply their own respite worker to provide in-home care. Contact Veronica Lopez for respite services: , extn. 6711
Gloria Gordon:
Provides Early Intervention , as well as case management, individual and family therapy and respite services to children with special needs birth – 12 years old and their families. Group therapy and summer programming also available.
Clearbrook Respite Program
– Tina Yurik
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How Do I Find Respite Care For Autism
There are a few different avenues of exploration to find respite care for your loved one. The first step is to learn about the types of respite options that may exist in your community such as an in-home or out-of-home model. In addition, respite services can be available to families through provider agencies with trained staff or through a more informal network of support. Find more helpful information about respite models as well as a respite locator from the National Respite Network.
Search our Directory for respite care providers near you!
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Respite Services
Who runs the respite program? The respite program is run by Director of Respite Services, Becky Pundy. We have an LPN and paid staff who oversee community volunteers at every session. We do not provide any therapies or school curriculum.
What do the children do at the program? The participants are separated and grouped by age and engaged in a scheduled, preplanned rotation of activities. This includes crafts, drawing, games, puzzles, gross motor activities and playground time.
Does the participant have to be potty trained to join? No, therefore we have the LPN and staff to assist with toileting/diapering along with any medical issues that might come up.
Do you offer 1:1 care/support for my child? We try to accommodate 1:1 support, however, we cannot guarantee it due to limited staff and varying volunteer participation.
How much does it cost? Currently we have wonderful funding allowing us to host the program for free.
Do you offer any other respite times or services ? No, we have a preplanned schedule annually and per session to ensure adequate safe staffing and space. We do not offer in-home respite. Only on-site, group respite sessions.
Does my child need to be a client of Little Friends to participate? No, we welcome all families in need and can travel to our location. We are not disability specific and welcome all types of children with a range of challenges.
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Why Caregivers Need Respite Care
There are many situations for which, as a caregiver, you may need respite care, including:
- You need to get to the doctor for your own checkup.
- You have another child, a spouse, or a parent who needs you.
- You’re close to your breaking point and unable to do a good job of caring for your autistic loved one.
- You haven’t had alone time with yourself or a partner for far too long.
Taking care of a child with autism is stressful. Without respite care, you run the risk of losing your health, your relationships, and your sense of humor. Without those critical tools, you’ll be no help to your loved one with autism.
How Do I Make Sure The Provider Is Right For My Family
When Youre Ready to Interview: Important Information You Need to Know about Your Respite Worker by Autism Speaks staff member and autism mom Marianne Sullivan
Below are 10 items you will want to discuss with a potential respite worker. Keep in mind when youre interviewing that the most important step is to observe how the respite worker interacts with the individual with autism and your family. If possible, have the worker spend supervised time with your family member. See how the respite work interacts with your family member with autism, and with other members of your family. Make sure that you feel completely comfortable with the situation. Its true that it can take a few weeks for respite workers and family members to get to know each other, but dont let an uncomfortable situation go on and on thinking it will eventually work itself out. We cannot expect every worker to be a match for your family. Sometimes, despite all of your efforts, the worker is not a match. Its best to move on and find a new respite worker who can provide you with the support you need.
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Cost And Frequency Of Respite Care
Some services may be free, others a token fee while others may be expensive. Some services will have a sliding scale that is dependent on your income. Most people who use respite do so regularly, often once or twice a week. They may also have a regular pattern of holiday respite set up for annual holidays. While respite is vital for people under a stressful situation, the ideal is to organize respite before your situation becomes difficult. Regular breaks are a central part of any stress management.
How Can You Get In Contact With Us If You Need Respite Care For An Autistic Child
At PHASE, unlike a lot of support facilities, we are available 6 days a week. We are open from 7:30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am until 5pm on Saturdays, so there will always be someone on hand to help you.
If you think that one of our respite care services in Perth would be a good fit for you and your family then we would love to hear from you. We are very easy to contact, either pop us an e-mail at or give us a call at . Read Less
Do you require specific help or are unsure where to begin?Weâre here to help.
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Why Respite Care For Children Is Good For Families
Taking a break is good for you, your family and your child.
Respite care gives you the chance to recharge and look after yourself. For example, you could go to a weekly exercise class, meet friends, go out for a meal with your partner, get an uninterrupted nights sleep once a week, or go on holiday.
Taking a break can also give you a chance to spend more time with your partner or other children.
Respite care is also a break for your child. Your child can have a change from their usual routine. This can help your child develop new skills and some independence.
Its OK to say you need a break. When you look after your physical and mental wellbeing, youll be better able to look after your child.
Respite Care For Children With Disabilities
We all need time to recharge our batteries. Getting a few moments to exercise, reading a book, seeing a movie, spending time alone with a partner, or just going to the grocery store by ourselves will really help us manage stress.
But when youre the main caregiver for your child, those precious minutes can be hard to come by. It might be hard to allow ourselves to take time away from our families. It can be hard to find a qualified person to give care. Even if you find a great caregiver, it can be hard to trust someone else with your child. And it might be hard to figure out how to pay for it.
But taking this respite or break from your usual time taking care of your child is especially important when youre the main caregiver. Mental health professionals and counselors recommend respite for parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs. And, in the end, your child might just thank you for taking the time to recharge.
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Can My Family Provide Respite
Sometimes, a family member or friend can step in and watch your child when you need a break. Other times, you may have to find a professional respite provider. Some government programs such as those funded by Medicaid or the state of Texas may include respite services.
Who cares for your child is really about what is right for you and your child.
Visit “What is Respite,” for more information about the types of respite available.
Look After Yourself As Parents Of An Autistic Child
Respite is a vital part of maintaining your health and sanity when caring for a child with autism or Asperger’s syndrome. Use the following checklist to see if are doing what you need to look after yourself: Ask for help when you need it Take time for yourself Exercise, eat well and rest Relax regularly Attend a carers group for support Access and use available services Acknowledge and deal with feelings.
For more information, advice, and referral, contact your nearest autism or Asperger’s association.
See the Family and Carer issues section of the website for more information.
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Ssb Is A Community For Families With Special Needs Children That Are Seeking Clarity And Hope For The Challenges That Come Along With Everyday Life
SSB Respite Care understands what it means to have a child with special needs. Founded by a grand-mother who required respite services for her grand-daughter but had no where to turn, SSB Respite Care is the solution for children, teens, and parents struggling with extreme behavioral challenges in Durham County and beyond.
Respite Care Isnt A Luxury
For many families, respite care is indeed a necessity. You cannot effectively care for someone if your own needs are not being met. These needs are different for everyone, but they may include going to the doctor or running errands, getting some alone time, or having the chance to spend some quality time with your significant other. No matter what you need the time off for, your entire family will benefit from your ability to take a physical and mental break from caregiving, even if its only for an hour or two.
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Where Is Respite Provided
Where you get respite depends on family preferences, available services and other factors. The most important thing is that you find what is right for your family and that you, as caregiver, get a break.
Finding and training a reliable respite caregiver is a precious thing! A few moments alone with a spouse or sibling is treasured when I know my child is safe and taken care of.
Respite can be provided in many places:
- In your home
- The home of a family or friend
- At a specialized camp
- At a specialized facility
Visit “What is Respite,” for more information about the types of respite available.
Why Do Caregivers Need Respite Care
If you are a caregiver, you need respite care for several reasons. I am listing a few of them below.
- You may need to go to the doctor for checking your health.
- Your child, spouse or any of your family members needs you.
- You may need to do a job for financial assistance
- You have not spent time with yourself or with your spouse for too long
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Why You Need A Break
When your child has special needs, handing over responsibility can be a real challenge. You might feel as if you are the only person who can do the job, and doubt that anyone else could meet all of your childs needs. But remember, youre not superhuman. Theres only so much you can give before you will feel mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. Thats why its a necessity not a luxury to take breaks from time to time.
When you take time off to recharge, youll be able to give more and enjoy doing it. And your child will benefit as well. Kids learn that they can count on others for help. They can form new friendships, experience new environments or people, and have fun.
So, once youre ready to get help, how do you do it?
How Respite Care For Children With Autism Helps
- Training It is important to understand that those who offer caregiving or respite care for children who have Autism, be well trained.
- Focus on Helping Everyone Accredited Cares respite care focuses on offering our services to not only give families a break from constant care of their loved one, but works with increasing overall functionality.
- Support Services Respite care is a recognized support service that helps reduce a familys stress. Support services should focus not only on the family but the individual who has Autism.
- Individualized Program Respite care should be very individualized according to the needs and abilities of the family seeking caregiving skills. This means that the services provided are specific to the deficits seen in the child in order to help enable them to function well.
- Addressing Concerns We focus on addressing any concerns about functionality, social skills, speech, environmental responses, behavioral problems, sensory responses, and any other problems that are a concern for the family.
Dont settle for unskilled, untrained caregiving for your loved one. Be sure that the people you choose to care for your child, or even adult, truly understand what is needed.
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Funding For Respite Care
Some respite care services are free, but youll need to pay for others. The cost depends on the type of respite care, the provider and the length of time involved.
If your child is eligible for the NDIS, you can talk to your NDIS professional about your childs and familys needs.
The NDIS might fund supports that give you a break from your caring responsibilities. For example, these supports might include help with personal care tasks or strategies that build your childs skills and ability to take part in social and community activities.
If your child isnt eligible for the NDIS, you might be able to get other funding to help with the cost of respite. Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 to find out more.
Who Pays For Respite Care
Lets talk about funding issues. When we had au pairs, we privately paid for them to come and live with us in our home. Not all families can afford that. Weve also paid for private babysitters and other helpers. But over the years weve also gotten funding, and now Lucas has a waiver that provides a lot of the respite provision and the care that he needs. But in every county, in every state, in every situation, how you get respite care is totally different.
There are huge waiting lists for autism care. I know how hard it is in my county and state. I cant imagine its easy to get respite care in other places either. If you are looking for funding for respite if you have a case manager or if you have a governmental agency providing some therapy check with that caseworker, check with your doctor. See how you can get respite care. Be really vocal because if you need funding for respite you need to advocate for it.
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