Any family is healthier when parents have family and friends to help out when things are difficult. Caring for children with disabilities can require a higher level of support. In Canada, many provinces offer funding for respite care for families of children with developmental disabilities.

Respite care is when someone else cares for your child, allowing you to take a break from caregiving. It gives you time to run errands, catch up on sleep, or simply get things done. Children also benefit from respite, because they will have more people in their lives who care about them, providing opportunities for socialization and new experiences. 

Finding Respite Workers

Some programs provide staff for respite, but you may also have the option to choose your own caregiver. Consider the following options if you are looking for a respite worker.

Family and Friends

If there is someone in your circle of family and friends that has been especially understanding of your child’s needs, consider asking them to provide respite care.

Day Care, Preschool, or School

Sometimes educational assistants (EAs) are looking for extra work, especially during school breaks. Consider asking an EA in your child’s daycare or class if they’re interested in providing respite care.

Community Connections

You may be pleasantly surprised to find supportive people in your local faith or cultural community. There may also be a local social media group where you could reach out to find people willing to provide respite care.

Support Groups

Consider posting in any disability related local social media groups, asking for respite care. There may be potential respite workers in the group, or families with respite workers looking for more hours.

Colleges and Universities

Students pursuing a career in disability and community support often make excellent respite workers. Consider creating a job posting on  local college or university career sites.

Training Your Respite Worker

Once you’ve found a worker that fits your needs, you should teach them about your parenting approach and goals. 

Start by having your respite worker shadow you to learn how you interact with your child.

Consider providing them with a summary of your child’s interests, strengths, routines and helpful strategies. For an example of one of these summaries, check out the All About Me strengths and strategies profile.

If your family uses learning strategies from a developmental therapy, you can use workshops and resources to educate your support people, such as:

• Affect Autism – Get Started
• An Introduction to RDI
• RDI – Everyday Activities
• The Play Project – Online Learning
• Greenspan Floortime Approach: Free Parent Course

Organizations in your local community may also have learning opportunities.