The Special Needs Child and Respite CareThe support given by respite care is often what enables a special needs child to remain living at home when the required care is extensive. The home care and supported living services includes occasional respite services that support the caregiver in her or his role of caring for the child. The support given by respite care is often what enables a special needs child to remain living at home when the required care is extensive. The home care and supported living services includes occasional respite services that support the caregiver in her or his role of caring for the child. Respite care gives the main caregiver a break so that they can get personal errands done, or to pamper themselves with a haircut or manicure, or a chance to go to church, or out shopping without the worries of caring for the child. Respite care allow the caregiver to recharge and relax knowing that the child is cared for by respite workers who are knowledgeable and qualified to give the cared needed. Respite care can take place in the home or in day care facilities, or special community programs set up for the purpose of respite care. Sometimes other family members, by church volunteers or by neighbors, do the respite care. The caregiver is not the only one who benefits from the respite care. The child also benefits because the horizons are broadened and the child is exposed to various social situations, and to others who can enrich the child’s life.
Each child has a unique set of circumstances that varies from other children and these individual needs will dictate the type of respite care that will be appropriate. Some children have extensive medical needs that will limit the type of respite care to those services that are capable of meeting the medical needs of the child. Other children do well in day care centers, or other respite programs. The parents can receive advise from the pediatrician as to what respite services are appropriate in their community.
As the child ages, the respite needs will change. There should be periodic assessments made as to the needs of the child and how the respite care plan can be modified to meet those needs. Issues with Caregivers
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