Anonymous wrote:OP here. She's in NY state. She's had some problems with her school system wanting to stop services as they feel he's borderline eligible.

Go to www.youbemom.com and ask on the Special Needs board. That is a really helpful group and very NY-centric. They will know.

I just found out about an organization called Joni and Friends, they have a camp in the Poconos which I believe is not too far from New York. I don't believe they provide ongoing respite but I hear the camp is fabulous and gives the family a much needed break.

Try Easter Seals or the local ARC. They can steer her to resources.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. She's in NY state. She's had some problems with her school system wanting to stop services as they feel he's borderline eligible.

NY is a big place but she needs to look at community resources and her insurance.

Yes, it's huge, and what is available, and where, can vastly differ.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. She's in NY state. She's had some problems with her school system wanting to stop services as they feel he's borderline eligible.

NY is a big place but she needs to look at community resources and her insurance.

OP here. She's in NY state. She's had some problems with her school system wanting to stop services as they feel he's borderline eligible.

What state?

Yes, but she needs to check in the area she lives in. For the autism, depending on insurance she could get an ABA therapist to come in and help.

You might check with Jill's House (http://jillshouse.org/). I think they have to be 6 or 7, but people on these boards say great things about it.

is there a local college/university with a special needs education program? could you reach out there to see if there is a volunteer?
the pp poster is right to tap into local resources that maybe can't help but will have ideas.
is she in a church or is there a large local one? maybe she can find a volunteer again there that is a teacher etc.
social networks like facebook can really also trump some of the professionals to find someone with the skills and compassion to help.

If the special needs child (not the parents) qualify for straight Medicaid (based on the disability) the child could get up to 40 hrs/week of personal care and 480 hr/year of respite care, again depending on the disability. the process in not complex and only takes a call to social services.

Depending on the state and the extent of the child's disability, the family may qualify for the katie beckett medicaid waiver, which in some states provides respite care.

I'm writing for a friend who doesn't live in the DC area, but am hoping people can just give some resources in general. She has two children, one of whom has SPD and PDD-NOS. Her husband is under threat of losing his job, but if he keeps it, he is away from home 3-4 days a week (pilot). Her son goes through violent rages at times and without family help or her husband half the time, she is frustrated, at her wits' end, and sometimes scared for herself and other child. She also has a history of depression and has Hashimoto's, which she's trying to get under control.

Are there organizations that would offer respite care for a situation like this?