How to go back to work having a special needs child?

Question

Well i have two kids one is 2 1/2 yrs and the second one is 4 months. I'am stacked with bills up to my neck, and I would like to go back to work. Now the problem that i have is that my 2 yr old has a few medical conditions including autism and according to the doctors possibly more to come.. I want to go back to work badly one because i need the money and two because i desperatly need to get out. But my son just keeps getting appointments which only i could take him to atleast 2 or 3 times a week. I hardly sleep because my son keeps me up until 4 or 5 oclock in the morning. So my question is how can i go back to work?

If anyone has gone through the same situation that i'am going through can you please advice me.

seriouse answers please!!!

Answer 1

I am a mother of three special needs children. The only way I went back to work was my husband became a stay at home dad. After five years we switched rolls. Bills will keep piling up, believe me. Go to your social security office and apply for SSI for your son. This will help with some of the bills. Contact your county's Board of MR/DD (mentally retarded/developmental disabilities) and ask about signing your child up. Most MR/DD programs have what is called respite care. This will pay for a babysitter so you can get out an have some time to yourself. However, they will not pay for a babysitter for working hours. Respite time is to be used as personal time for you.

The only other suggestion would be for you to get a part-time job. Somewhere that they understand your circumstances and would be willing to work with your schedule.

All of my children are now school age. I went and took the paraprofessional test, and became a substitute one on one aide to special needs children in local schools. This way I am on my children's schedule and if they have an appointment, as a substitute, I can turn down a call to fill in.

Answer 2

There is a company i think it is called Avanta-it is a good work from home company

it depends on what type of work/eduation you have-

I have a disability my self and I was able to find a job that lets me set my own schedule.....

you could do soemthign like housekeeping in private homes-where you don't have to work at the exact time every week-

Answer 3

What is more important in the long run?  That your children need you or that you WANT to get out?  You already know what the right answer is.  Don't be selfish, you will regret it.

Answer 4

Who is qualified enough to care for your special needs child besides you? Would you really trust an untrained person to watch him? There are gov't programs in most states to help you care for your child at home. You should talk to your regional center about signing up for those programs (SSI, in home supportive services, etc.). They should also have Respite programs to help you for occasional outings so you can have some time to yourself, but having a special needs child is likely to be a lifetime job.

Answer 5

If you have a medical diagnosis of Autism - it is likely you can get some respite support or services or a PCA to help you care for your child.  They might also be able to assist you in looking over the medical appointments and how to coordinate them better or at least prioritise.  How early does your school district start programing for Early Childhood?  That might help getting you a break.

You may need to work an odd shift - when my kids were little I worked after my husband came home to care for them.  It was tag team parenting but that was all we could do at the time.

If your son is not sleeping - that impacts his educational functioning as well as your sleep - please talk to your MD it might be that there is something that is appropriate for his age and condition that he could take that could help you.

I am NOT saying that all parents should give their kids drugs however it is a tool that should not be automatically discounted.  If the MD feels the situation warrents it - you should think about it.

Please contact some local Autism support groups for people to talk to that have been where you are.  there is NOTHING wrong with needing a break - earning some money.  Hopefully your husband or partner can help you in the planning.

Answer 6

There is probably some help out there where you can send your kids to a special day care facility, the State should pay for it. Contact DFS. Make sure you get a job that is flexible to allow you to go to the appointments.