I cannot afford boarding shcool for my autistic son. Where can I send him to receive 24hr care?

Question

I would really appreciate any helpful resources of where to look. I have spent numerous hours researching the internet for information.

Answer 1

you didnt mention the country, so i assume it is USA.

http://www.google.co.in/search?sourceid=...

Answer 2

I don't know that I am reading your question right or if i am just reading between the lines.

I am reading that you are wanting to get rid of your son, because you don't have the patience to care for him.  

My child is special needs and there is no way i could ever want to send him away.

Yes they require more or your time and you learn patience but that is fine, he is my special gift.

Sorry I can't answer your question, because there is tears running down my cheeks,  and now I can't think/

Answer 3

You may be able to get a scholoarship for him to attend a boarding school or you could try and get an attendant carer to work with him in the home, this could also be a special needs nanny

The only other possibility is to put him in an institution like an orphanage or put him in foster care which I would not recommend.

It depends where you are based. Do you want him to have 24hr care for long periods or for short periods to give yourself a break. If you want care for short periods to give youself a break you can get Respite care. There are usually services that provide this supplied by local and state governments aswell as private charities and companies.

Answer 4

in the USA-you can request residnetial placement through your school district-which is hard to get-and usually won't if there is a day program available-

otherwise you contact your state division of developmental disabilities and register for services--still hard to get residnetial care unless his needs cannot be met at home

Answer 5

Why don't you spend numerous hours with your son, caring for him yourself.  You are his mother, you should be providing 24 hour care.  Don't give up on him because it's hard.  I want to work with children like your son by CHOICE.  I find it hard to respect people like you who refuse to care for their children with disabilities.

If it gets overwhelming, get help.  Sending him away to some institution isn't better for him, it's better for you.

Answer 6

This may be a tough route.  First, you may want to talk to your insurance company if you have insurance.  If they cover residential treatment, they generally have a list of recommended centers they work with.  Keep in mind however, spots are limited and you may end up with your child out of your town, area or even state to get a spot in a program covered by your insurance.  In this scenario, you will have to get referrals and recommendations from your child's doctor (as well as support documentation from his school most likely).  There will be a defined level of need that will have to be met for this situation to work.

Next, speak with the school system.  Many school systems will know of facilities since, in extreme cases, they may be refering students there themselves.  

Finally, speak with members of autism support groups and the ARC in your state.  They will be able to give you suggestions.

Without insurance or means to pay, however, there is really only one option left and it is not one I generally recommend unless the situation at home is so severe it poses phsyical risk to the child and family or such severe emotional stress that the parents can no longer function.  Many families are left with little choice but to give up custody of the child to the state.  The state will then pay the costs if they feel residential care is needed.  However, the state will choose where the child will go..parents will have no legal say in the matter...what treatment and therapy the child will recieve, who the child's doctors are ,etc.  The system tends to be overloaded and underfunded, so the services are not always what you may choose.  Again, I urge this only as a last resort.

Answer 7

I don't think you are looking for a school, I think you are looking to have him institutionalized.  If you can not manage your son's care at home you should speak to your doctor about placement. Usually the physician can recommend a child to be assessed for extra help in the home or to be placed in group or foster care homes.

It is not wrong of you to ask for help if you are unable to meet your child's needs, it is sometimes in the child's best interest.    

Sometimes one can access information through the public health department or local social welfare department.

Caring for the disabled can be overwhelming and not everybody is able to cope.  It's okay to ask for help.

Answer 8

Contact the Regional Center and the Department of Developmental Disabilities in your area/state.  If you email me your city, state, I can help you better.  Contact your school district and schedule an IEP.  Give them at least 24 hours written notice you will be tape recording the IEP.  Bring a list of behaviors and reasons why your child needs a residential placement.  Tell the IEP team you want your letter attached to the IEP and have them document in the IEP notes that the letter is dated __________ is attached.  Hopefully, you have an effective IEP team and they will help you move through the process of obtaining proper placement.  If not, seek an advocate or attorney.  Check out www.yellowpagesforkids.com for help locating many services like advocates, attorneys, services, residential facilities, etc.

Much of your decision on where to place him should be based on what outcome you are looking for.  Ideally the school should be for autistic children.  Other options are overnight respite care in your home, a short-term (ie 90 days) residential placement to get behaivors under control, etc.

No parent wants to place their child in a residential placement.  However, I know several parents that had to resort to this.  Please disregard insensitive comments.  Only you know what its like to walk in your shoes for 24 hours each day.  I suggest that you find some help through a therapist or psychiatrist.  You need support too.  Sometimes family counseling can help.  I wish you the best of luck for you and your family.