As a parent of a child with a developmental disorder, you probably face far more challenges and challenging behaviors than a parent with a developmentally typical child. As such, you may feel the need to seek out added supports, one of which may be respite care in CBRFs (Community-Based Residential Facilities) for children with developmental disabilities. That said, here are a few things you need to know before you attempt to secure these services for your child.

Respite Care Comes at a Cost

It does not matter if you have respite care in your home or away from home in a CBRF, it costs money. If your child has moderate to severe developmental disorders, then you may be able to apply for a long-term care waiver from your county's human services organization. This waiver allows you to select pre-approved treatment, care and respite facilities, and then the county pays for the services received from these facilities. Since most families cannot afford even a weekend of respite care without assistance, these waivers are a real help. The application process will take some time, and you will need to conduct an in-home interview with a social worker. Therefore, if this is something you are considering, you should get started right away.

Respite Care in CBRFs for Children Does Not Limit Age Groups

One other thing you need to be acutely aware of is that respite care for children tends to mix all age groups. You will not have just tweens in one home and teens in another. Because they are minors, they are frequently all mixed together. This poses some potentially uncomfortable situations for parents because they are placing their children in a home-away-from-home with older children who may know a thing or two about sex. Even though every precaution is taken to protect your child in respite care in a group home, there is still an outside chance that some out-of-the-ordinary event might occur. These risks are usually discussed with you prior to the first time you leave your child in a CBRF for respite care.

Your Child Could Pick up Other Behaviors in Respite Care

Sometimes, children can be prone to imitating other children's behavior. It happens in daycare, and it can happen in respite care outside your home too. That said, do not be too surprised if your child goes to respite care in a CBRF one weekend a month and then suddenly begins exhibiting a new behavior you have never seen before. That said, if it is still worth it to you to get a small break from the challenges posed by your child's current behaviors, then continue your application process.

For more information, contact Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care or a similar location.