12 Things You Need To Know About Respite Care For Autism

When it comes to caring for a child with autism, parents often feel overwhelmed. There are so many things to think about and organize, from appointments and therapies to managing meltdowns and sensory overloads. It can be hard to know where to start and even harder to find the time and energy to take a break. That’s where respite care comes in. Respite care provides short-term relief for families who have children with special needs, giving parents the chance to recharge and focus on their own health and well-being. If you’re considering respite care for your child with autism, here are twelve things you need to know.

There are many rewards to caring for an adult or child with autism, but it may also be challenging and draining at times.

Many parents focus only on their children, neglecting their physical and mental well-being, relationships with partners and friends, pastimes, and interests.

Although it is simple to overlook, it is crucial to remember to provide your autistic loved one with the greatest care possible.

You must look after yourself.

This frequently entails taking brief pauses to attend your own medical appointments, go out with your partner or a friend, relax, or do something exclusively for you. 

You may already know how crucial respite care is if you are the parent or primary caregiver of a person with autism.

And if you’re unsure how essential respite care is to your family’s health, check out this article.

Sign Up Below For Your Free Autism Check List!

What Is Respite Care?

Care for your child with autism is known as respite care. A few hours during the day can count as respite care.

Additionally, it can last a whole day or even a few weeks. You may occasionally or regularly utilize respite care.

Either your house or another location can be used to care for your child.

Respite care services are available to you.

Or you might make a loose arrangement with family and friends or use recreational opportunities offered by the town.

12 Things You Must Know About Respite Care for Autism

When parents or other full-time caregivers need a break or to attend to different responsibilities, respite care providers step in to fill the void temporarily.

However, even many who understand what respite care is are struggling to fully grasp its significance and how to make it affordable for their family.

To assist you in getting started or to remind you that you’re acting appropriately, we’ve gathered 12 important pieces of information concerning respite care for autism that you must know. 

#1. Your Respite Care Needs May Change Over Time.

One way it differs from regular babysitting is that you can require more respite care over time rather than less as the individual being cared for ages.

While many neurotypical children rapidly outgrow their early care requirements, many autistic persons will require care for a more extended period.

Even their entire lives, in certain situations.

As the individual you’re caring for becomes bigger and stronger, your requirements could become more specific.

When your child develops strong enough to dominate or hurt others, behavioral difficulties that your neighborhood teenager babysitter could once handle may need to be operated on by a skilled respite care provider.

Or you might discover that, as you become older, caring for others becomes more taxing, necessitating more frequent breaks.

These kinds of changes are common and not something to be ashamed of.

#2. Just Because You Can’t Pay For Respite Care Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Get it.

Respite care can be expensive, but there are ways for low-income families to receive discounted or free respite care in many places.

It is a necessity for many families.

Therefore we appreciate that options are available for individuals who can’t pay for them.

Easter Seals, ARC of the United States, and the Developmental Disabilities Council/Department of Developmental Services in your state are a few organizations that could be able to help you pay for respite care.

#3. Respite Care Doesn’t Have To Be An In-home Thing.

Again, your options will depend on your family’s particular requirements, but be open to the range of methods you might access respite care.

If it can accommodate the needs of the autistic person, a summer camp or other educational program might be the ideal option to take a break from caregiving.

#4. Respite Care Doesn’t Have To Be Provided By A Service.

Respite care may need to be performed by someone with particular knowledge and training, depending on the needs of the autistic person.

Still, in many circumstances, it can be given by a grandparent, another family member, a friend, or a competent adult babysitter.

In actuality, the respite care study discovered that the majority of the 64% of families who obtained respite care for their autistic children received it from the autistic person’s grandparents.

If respite care services are not offered in your region, you should know there are still options. 

#5. Respite Care Decreases The Risk Of Psychiatric Hospitalization.

The jury is still out on whether or not parents and full-time caregivers who take respite care breaks reduce their risk of mental hospitalization.

Still, data indicates that autistic children and young adults with respite caregivers are less likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders.

This in no way implies that you are a bad parent or caregiver, possibly the finest.

However, everyone needs a break, as we have already indicated.

Your lower stress level will also benefit the child or adult you are in charge of.

#6. Respite Care Reduces Stress And Improves Marriages.

According to a study, each hour of respite care parents receive reduces their stress levels and strengthens their marriages.

According to studies from Brigham Young University and Wasatch Mental Health, just one extra hour of respite care per week was associated with an improvement of six to seven points in marital quality, or around one-half of a standard deviation.

This discovery gives parents of children with ASD hope.

#7. Respite Care Is Not A Form Of Giving Up.

Many parents struggle to accept and seek help because they believe they shouldn’t and for various other reasons.

But even parents of children with autism occasionally need a vacation.

After all, we are only human.

We all need to escape from our everyday life every now and then, but it doesn’t mean you love your child any less.

It’s crucial to take care of your own needs and have time for yourself so that you can come back renewed and ready to be the greatest parent and caregiver you can be.

Therefore, respite care is not about “giving up” but “fueling up.

#8. Respite Care Isn’t A Luxury.

Indeed, respite care is a requirement for many families. If your needs are not being satisfied, you cannot adequately care for someone, autism or not.

These requirements will vary from person to person.

Still, they could involve seeing the doctor or running errands, finding some alone time, or obtaining the chance to spend quality time with your significant other.

Your entire family will benefit from your ability to take a physical and mental vacation from caregiving, even if it’s only for a few hours.

It doesn’t matter what you need the time off for.

#9. You’ll Have More Time For Your Own Personal Obligations

Other relationships in your life may suffer if you care for an autistic person.

This is particularly true if you have your own family.

For instance, you might skip trips or neglect to spend quality time with your loved ones or other kids.

You can retain other significant relationships in your life while receiving respite care by:

• Giving you breaks during certain hours of the day
• Allowing you to take occasional vacations without being distracted by concerns about your loved one’s care
• Letting you take time off for obligations that require you to travel

Instagram is an amazing place to be! We’re always on there sharing our everyday adventures with you. Join us on Instagram as we share our travels, recipes, and crafts! Be sure to check out the stories for real-time fun.

#10. Respite Care Reduces The Risk Of Developing Bad Habits

Any family member who balances a 9 to 5 job, providing care, and all the household duties is likely to feel overworked and burned out.

You risk forming harmful habits like smoking, drinking, or stress eating if you’re overworked and stressed.

All those behaviors may negatively impact your health and even how you care for your loved ones.

#11. You’ll Receive Honest Feedback

A respite caregiver may inform your family about your autistic family member’s health and status, advising you on necessary adjustments and outlining which aspects of your current plan are working.

If you assist with your loved one’s daily care, you’ll value the open criticism and advice from the respite carers.

While you’re away, you can feel more at ease knowing that you’re getting a complete report about your loved one’s day or week.

#12. Overnight Care Is Available

Most family carers use respite care services while traveling or at work during the day.

For family caregivers struggling to get enough sleep at night, respite care is offered.

Long workdays that keep their loved ones up at night could be to blame for the disturbed sleep.

Whatever the reason, you can benefit from respite care choices to ensure you get the rest you require.

Bottom line:

There you have the 12 things you need to know about respite care for autism. It is beneficial for you, your family and your child to take a break.

With respite care, you get the chance to rest and take care of yourself.

You may, for instance, attend a weekly workout class, meet up with friends, dine out with your significant other once every week, or go on vacation.

You may be able to spend more time with your spouse or other kids if you take a break.

For your child, respite care is also a break. Your child may deviate from their typical schedule.

Your child may gain some independence and new abilities due to this.