Respite Care

Another child care option is respite care, a system of temporary child care provided by people familiar with the needs of children with disabilities. "Temporary" can range from an hour to several months, depending on the respite care provider and the needs and desires of the family. Many respite care providers have undergone specialized training and can knowledgeably care for children whose needs may range from close supervision to medical care. Respite care can be provided to infants, teenagers, or adults with special needs. In some cases, the respite provider may be able to provide care only for the child with the disability; in other cases, care may be available for siblings as well. Respite care generally differs from daycare in that it is not available on a daily basis to allow a parent to return to the work force.

Increasingly, respite care can be obtained through organizations that offer home-care or out-of-home services, either on an emergency basis or on a regular schedule. In many states, mental health agencies provide services which are either free of charge or priced on a sliding scale (according to parents' ability to pay). To find out more about the respite services available in your vicinity, seek out groups or professionals who work with children your child's age. The school system may be able to provide information, as may a local parent group. Another valuable source of information on respite care is the ARCH National Resource Center for Crisis Nurseries and Respite Care Services. ARCH operates the National Respite Locator Service whose mission is to help parents locate respite care in their area. Other places to inquire include:

Parent Training and Information Center;

Disability organizations within the state;

State Department of Mental Retardation;

State Developmental Disabilities Council;

State Program for Children with Special Health Needs;

Departments of Health and Human Services, or Social Services;

Department of Mental Health;

State and local Departments of Education; and

State Protection and Advocacy Agency.

Many of these organizations are listed in the telephone directory; NICHCY also makes available a State Resource Sheet, which lists telephone numbers and addresses for many of these programs or groups. Although many parents initially may feel reluctant to leave their child with special needs in the care of someone else, those who have tried it give ample testimony to its value in restoring their energy, sense of humor, and perspective.

Adapted from information published by the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities