Anyone with Autistic kids have an agency that offers respite care?
By mommaj
@mommaj (23112)
United States
March 14, 2010 9:01am CST
Yesterday I took the kids to respite care. This is only once a month for about four hours. You drop the kids off with food and drinks and clothes and do what you want for four hours. It's nice because the people taking care of the kids are screened. Some are volunteers and one is a certified teacher. It's safe for the kids and they have fun. It's good for the parents to get a break too. Does your area have respite care?
2 people like this
5 responses
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
15 Mar 10
My mother used to be the director os a respite care facility but it was different from what you describe. It was for kids who were temporarily removed from their homes or between foster care placements, etc.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
19 Mar 10
I wonder how many places there are like the one you mentioned.
1 person likes this
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
20 Mar 10
Hi C,
how i wish we can have like that one too in our place. life will be easier for working parents and for those parents and guardians who need a break even for a day. in his time i know we will have services like this too!
@albert2412 (1782)
• United States
14 Mar 10
We also have a son who is autistic; however, we never used respite care because the people that were recommended did not look very good. Our son became autistic at age 12, right after getting the mmr shot containing mercury. Since mercury is the cause of autism, we have worked ever since to make him better by chelation and vitamins and soaking his feet in epsom salts. He is much better than he was and is on the road to getting well.
@albert2412 (1782)
• United States
15 Mar 10
Our son was 12 years old when he got autism from the shot. Glad you have a facility there to help you. Do all of your children have autism or only one?
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
15 Mar 10
I have two children and only one has autism. I am sorry he was so old when he got autism. That must be devastating. It's interesting to hear about this because I was told the older your child is the less likely he or she will get autism. This is good to know because I think I have to get my son his mmr for kindergarten. I don't know what I will do about that.
1 person likes this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
14 Mar 10
Do you mean 12 months or he had to have a shot at 12 years old? The shot caused my son's autism as well. I don't have him on a diet or vitamins, but he does have therapy for speech and we are working on getting occupational therapy. I am a stay at home mom and don't have a babysitter for my kids. I live 1600 mi away from the grandparents. This facility is wonderful. They have a school and they do therapy out of the facility. It seems extremely beneficial for the children.
1 person likes this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
5 May 10
Dear mommaj,
I work in a special day care that offers both medical and specialistic care for children aged 0 to 6 years old with medical conditions, autism, ADHD and pretty much every other possible disorder or health condition a person can suffer from.
The people who work there are screened and qualified to work with these children.
Children who can't start school yet because of their disorder and need an advise on which school they would fit best can go to a special group ages 4 to 6. The other daycare group is for children of 0 to 4 years old.
There are also several organisations that offer weekends or full weeks for children with autism and/or ADHD so parents can have a break and/or spend time on siblings that sometimes have to miss out on attention.
I haven't heard of the respite care in the form you mention it, but we do have a lot of alternatives here in Holland that sound similiar.
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
5 May 10
I think it's a very good service because otherwise children are obliged to be in school when they are 5, and with a special indication they can stay there up to about 6 years old so there is 2 years time to find out what your child needs, to learn basic skills they will need in elementary school and see what suits them best. Luckily help is improving rapidly, which is a very good thing.
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Mar 10
Hi Mommaj,
I am happy to hear that there's a center that provide such service to kids with autism. you are lucky enough that there's something like this in your place. right now we don't have that luxury of service for ouor kids. i hope in the near future we will have like that one too.
n ice seeing you here again my friend!
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
14 Mar 10
Hi msf. I've been busy working with my son and trying to get him more services. That is how I found out about the respite care. Luckily they even offer financial aid. The cost of the respite care is only $25 for the four hours for BOTH of my kids. I could probably pay a babysitter $25 but I doubt anyone would want to keep my son. LOL
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
17 Mar 10
that's good. at least you will feel better now with the new set up you have with your kids while you are at work or busy earning for a living. god is really so good for providing this things to us. hugs for you and your kid.
@careasl (257)
• United States
5 May 10
The ARC in Virginia offers a respite camp. Check with Social Services for referrals or the ARC in your state.
