So, as you might imagine, DS9 (PDD-NOS) has had several incidents over the course of the school year with the after school care people - meltdowns, running, etc. Today was apparently the final straw. He had a meltdown/running episode that lasted half an hour! I found out afterwards he wasn't given his lunch-time does of medication.

I have no idea what I'm going to do next year! I'm sure I can tough it out for these last few days (I'm sure my boss will be stoked) but I can't leave work at 2:30 every day next year! You would think there is an after school care program that can handle kids on the spectrum... I can't be the only mom who has a real job!

Hi Amy,

Sorry to hear it. BTDT. Our DS could not cope with the afterschool care; it was terribly stressful for him. As far as I'm concerned, the "lord of the flies" approach (many kids, a few teachers, little structure) is perhaps okay for some kids, but not for mine.

We have done very well with hiring young adult caregivers for after school. We advertise in the relevant departments of local colleges (education, psychology, even nursing...) and have them trained by our therapy team, so they know what skills we are working on and how to handle our more difficult moments. We do background check them, etc. as well, in part so other parents would feel comfortable having their kids come over for play dates.

We have had some absolutely wonderful people come into our lives this way. It's been a win.

HTH,
DeeDee

Hmm... you've got me thinking now.

What if you contacted places that offer TA/EA programs (such as the one I'm taking now) and said you were looking for someone to hire for respite care? You might find someone who is interested, and they'd be qualified to work with spectrum kids. They might be interested in bypassing the politics of working for a school district, and a later start to their shift each day might appeal to them.

I was also going to suggest hiring a college student to pick him up and then take care of him at your home until you're home from work. We haven't done this, but I have friends who have and it worked out well on so many different levels. Their children were not only away from the craziness of after-school care (which isn't allt that great even for nt kids), the college students helped the children get started on their homework and were available to help with questions if they came up, the kids were able to be at home where they could unwind and were comfortable, and the college students helped with dinner/snacks etc. I don't know what the cost would be in your area, but here, the cost is about the same either way - hiring and individual by the hour or sending your children to after-school care.

Good luck - I know how tough it can be to find good childcare!

polarbear

Students have so many advantages. A favorite incident was coming home and finding the sitter using those ball-and-peg molecular models to teach the children what happens to ozone in the atmosphere. Everyone as happy as a clam.

In our area the going sitter rate is probably $12 an hour. For the hiqh-quality people I hire, I start them at around $15 and give raises up to $19 an hour. Once they have experience with my 2E, they're worth more than that, but they tend to understand that I'm on a budget.

DeeDee

I will definitely look into this. None of the bigger colleges are particularly close to us, but there's a community college not far.

Thanks guys.. I might do that. I know the high school kids on the other side of the building get let out a little bit earlier, but the vast majority of them are involved in clubs and sports and academic competitions... I'll definitely do some digging though. The Principal and counselor on that side are super nice and helpful, and they know my son.