The Autism Association of Barbados

Autism affects as many as 1 in 150 children and 1 in 94 boys

The AAB (registered charity # 612) was founded in 2004 and since then our goal has been to promote the interests of individuals and families affected by autism and to lobby for improvements in their educational opportunities. We naturally align our association with the Barbados Council for the Disabled and operate from their headquarters building, Harambee House.

We have developed our contacts with the Ministry of Education during the past year and now have regular tri monthly meetings towards the goal of organizing a Teacher Exchange Program between Barbados and England during the September term of 2009.

The Autism Association of Barbados is currently working towards the development of a Respite Centre for the families of children with the disability, which we hope will be the foundation of a future Residential Care development.

What is Respite Care? By Melanie-Anne Holder

I have a teenaged brother with autism and whenever I talk to my friends about respite care they look at me with bewildered expressions.

"Respite care. What is that?" they query with curiosity.

Most persons either do not know much about respite care or if they do, they wish to know more. Some of you may wish to know how respite care can benefit recipients, caregivers and family.

In order to fully comprehend the term, we must define it. According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary respite means 'an interval of rest or relief' or 'to give temporary relief from (pain or care) or to (a sufferer)'. Simply put, therefore, respite care (in the context of autism) refers to supervision of someone who is autistic in order to provide that person's family with a break from their daily schedule and pressures.

Generally, respite care is short term and ensures that families receive the support they need in order for their child to remain at home. It can take place in the child's home or at a centre away from home or through visits to recreational sites. Respite care should be affordable, convenient and custom-fit to individual family needs.

Why is respite care important?

As autistic children become older, families find that they become more burdensome to deal with. Finances, social life, health and the emotional, physical and mental health of parents and siblings can be impacted. Respite care is therefore significant as it relieves stress that families are under and it can allow the autistic child to participate in worthwhile and engaging activities. Without respite care, families may not be able to help themselves or their loved autistic one(s).

Where does respite care take place?

There are two basic types of respite care: in-home respite and out-of-home respite. In-home respite care can take the form of informal family relief and support, volunteer or paid relief and personal care or skilled health aid. Out of home respite care may include residential respite centres, support groups and day programs.

How the family and regular care-giver benefits

In the family, respite care has been proven to reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect, help prevent the likelihood of divorce, sustain marriages and help family members.

While respite care is established primarily for families, it must be noted that care-givers can be severely impacted by their jobs. Respite must also be given to the autistic child's regular care-givers who can face serious health and emotional issues as a result of being stressed and over-worked.

How the respite care-givers benefit

Care-givers who offer respite care also benefit from it. These persons gain patience as a result of taking care of autistic persons who demand much time and effort. Furthermore, care-givers learn more about autism as a disability and thus understand more about differently-abled persons. In this way, care-givers learn new skills and can educate their family and friends about autism. Many care-givers tend to be volunteers. As such, they feel a sense of accomplishment that they give back to their wider community as they play their role in respite care.

How the autistic person benefits

Although respite care is primarily seen as a break for the family of autistic persons, it is also a well-deserved break for autistic persons from their family. While on respite care, people with autism are able to interact with new persons and engage in different activities. While some autistic persons do not react well to a change in schedule, respite care can be important as it allows the autistic person to familiarise themselves with a new situation. As a result of respite care, autistic persons may also be afforded the opportunity to meet new friends and visit novel places.

The Autism Association of Barbados will soon be starting a respite care service for its members.