If you need break from your autistic child you are not alone, raising a child with special needs can be very tiring. In this article we explore your options.
Who can help?
Parenting a child on the autism spectrum can be both rewarding and challenging.
The unique needs and demands of caring for an autistic child can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and in need of a break.
Your natural first port of call would likely be friends and family. With that said however you may feel like you do not want to overburden them or make them feel obligated to help.
Fortunately in both the UK and America there are government services to help.
Autism break services in the UK
The specific types of short breaks accessible greatly depend on your child’s age and the extent of their needs.
According to legal obligations, local authorities are required to offer a diverse range of short breaks, which may include;
- Day time care in the homes of disabled children
- Overnight care in the homes of disabled children
- Educational or leisure activities for disabled children outside of their homes
- Services available to assist carers in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays.
Each local authority has an obligation to release a Short Breaks Services Statement.
This would outline the various types of short breaks offered and the process of accessing them.
They also detail how they have been tailored to meet the needs of local caregivers.
This information is typically available on the local authority’s website, or you can request a copy from children’s services.
Some short break services are specifically designed for autistic children (usually requiring an assessment by children’s services for eligibility).
Others are more general and cater to children with all kinds of disabilities (often facilitated through a Common Assessment Framework, or CAF).
While it does not always matter whether a service is autism-specific or not, it is important that the people caring for your child understand autism.
A really helpful database of support services for those in the UK can be found here.
Autism break services in the USA
Due to the size and complexity of America it isn’t quite as straightforward as the UK.
That isn’t to say for a second that there isn’t support, it just may take a little more narrowing down.
On February 24, 2020, the Senate unanimously passed the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019.
This legislation strengthens a law that provides competitive grants to states to develop or improve programs that support families caring for people with disabilities across the lifespan.
On the Autism Societies website you can scroll down on this page to find your state. From there you will find all the contact details from your local area.
Another good resource via the same website is the support database. There you can run a search to find what is available in your area.
Another good place for you to start your search for help in your area would be via the National Respite Network.
Additional support can come through a Respitality program, which offers a well-deserved break to parents from the constant challenges of childcare.
The Respitality program combines respite services with quality hospitality services.
Families benefit from the generosity of hotels and restaurants that provide free accommodations and a meal for two, during a 24-hour getaway.
Summary – Need a break from Autistic child
Taking care of an autistic child requires immense dedication and energy from parents.
However, it is crucial for parents to prioritise their own well-being and take regular breaks to avoid burnout.
The UK and the USA offer various avenues to support parents in finding respite care for their autistic children.
It is important for parents to explore the options available in their specific region or state, as services may vary.
Local authorities, governmental agencies, charities, and nonprofit organisations can provide valuable information and assistance in accessing respite care services.
