Respite care is a very general term that covers a wide spectrum of substitute care. “Respite” can range anywhere from just a couple hours to a matter of weeks and can be for a range of people from elderly ones to people with disabilities.

In this article, we will be focusing in on overnight respite care for autism caregivers.

You have some options when it comes to respite care for your child with autism, but they may vary from state to state. So let’s dive in.

Why You Might Need Respite Care

One of the most common reasons for respite care for autism is simply to get a break.

One thing I want to sincerely mention is that you shouldn’t feel guilty about seeking respite care. Your child has special needs and that changes your needs as well. Without a proper respite, not only will you suffer, but if you are married, your marriage can suffer.

You need an occasional date night or a weekend getaway simply to stay sane and keep that spark alive between you and your spouse. It can kindle the flame enough to give you both the energy you need to support each other.

If you are not married, that doesn’t diminish your need for respite care. You are what holds your family together and you are the one who primarily cares for your child with autism.

If you fall apart, what will your family do?

That’s why it’s important to take care of yourself. Spreading yourself too thin doesn’t do anyone any good.

Here the most common reasons for overnight respite care:

• Periodic recharge break
• Short vacation
• Time to spend with other family members
• Someone close to you needs your help
• Your home becomes damaged by a natural disaster
• You fall temporarily too ill to care for your child with autism

What Are Your Overnight Respite Care Options?

Of course, we will have to speak in generalities to give you some ideas since the answer varies from state to state. Still, you should be able to find some good ideas for respite options for your family that you can then research further and implement for your unique situation.

In-Home Respite Care Providers

Many families opt for a respite caregiver to come to their home to care for their child overnight. This option works well for children who might struggle immensely with a change of scenery.

This respite care option for your family has its benefits, but you should be careful about who you accept into your home. You should conduct a thorough interview with the respite caregiver before giving them the job.

Ask questions such as these:

• How much experience (and what kind) do you have with autism?
• Are you willing to go through training courses?
• Can you provide me with three work references?
• Do you have any concerns?

I mentioned the training courses because many agencies offer free workshops that could be beneficial for your respite worker. Also, make sure to ask them about their concerns and listen to them closely because this will help you know just what kind of support and information you can give to the respite provider.

Pros:

• Easier for many children
• You have almost complete control of the environment
• You choose the caregiver

Cons:

• You are possibly accepting a stranger into your home
• The interview process can be exhausting

You can search in your area for an in-home care provider using a simple google search such as: “in-home respite + city name”

Out-Of-Home Respite Options

There are various out-of-home respite options available to you as an autism caregiver. These may vary wildly between states including financial support that you can get from government agencies when utilizing one of these respite options.

Here are just some options that you will need to investigate for your state:

• RHCs (Rural Health Centers)
• Weekly or daily respite programs from a community-based agency
• Group homes or residential facilities
• Sleepaway camps
• Parent co-ops

If you or your child are represented by an agency you should speak with them and work closely with them to find out what your options are available to you in terms of financial support. Otherwise, you will have to find which local options are affordable for you.

Parent co-ops are typically free to join. A parent co-op is where local families band together and take turns watching each other’s kids. A huge benefit of this is that you have the chance to get to know these families intimately and you have the knowledge that they already know how to care for children with special needs. This is also a good way to meet support groups.

An important note about facilities, RHCs, group homes, and institutions:

When it comes to group homes or RHCs, these can both be viable for you if you have financial support or some other form of support from a government agency.

You should, however, visit the home first and conduct your own investigation and interview. Some facilities are poorly run and/or poorly staffed. You can easily gauge whether or not this is the case by visiting the facility in person and asking a few questions such as:

• Are there any other special needs children present at this facility?
• What will my child’s daily schedule look like?
• What 1-on-1 activities will be provided for my child?

You should also take a look around to check for general cleanliness and engagement of staff.

Important Respite Resources:

• ARCH – National Respite Network – This network can help you find local respite opportunities by working with your state government to provide more high-quality respite options. They may even provide some financial support
• Kid’s Health – Finding Special Needs Camps – This article may help jumpstart your search for overnight camps for your child with autism
• Autism Speaks – Respite Care Directory – Simply input your needs and location and find respite care near you

Overnight Respite Care For Your Child Is Attainable

Speak with your agencies, support groups, and anyone else who might have more information regarding local respite options, how much they cost, and their overall quality. We know you love your kids, that’s why we want to help you find the best respite options so that they will be well cared for and you can take a much-needed break.