I just took her out of an afterschool program that I have been told is the "only" one in the area for her age group. I find that hard to believe considering the population size, and I want to find another one for her so I won't lose my job. We have a Case Manager through the Dept, of Mental Health...and that's a dead end. Any ideas?
2006-11-05 13:13:48 · 5 answers · asked by devil_bunny_99 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Thanks for the ideas so far. I took her out of her afterschool program because they really don't know how to work with autistic children. Everything they did (touching, overloading her withe questions etc. )would goad her into a meltdown, and things ended up with her getting physically hurt when they tried to hold her down. She's 11 years old and very high fuctioning...a lot of people don't know she's autistic because she doesn't show any of the "classic" symptoms until you've known her for a long time.
2006-11-05 15:14:44 · update #1
The Children's Hospital Boston has some programs. Even if they're not what you're looking for, they would be in a better place to help you find one that would:
http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site613/mainpageS613P0.html
2006-11-05 16:22:09 · answer #1 · answered by raysny 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have a 22 year old son with autism. I will never forget those years of scrambling for afterschool care. He was "too active: and "too difficult" for programs, and anyway it's all about money, so it wouldn't surprise me if they had one underfunded program and called it good. . I ended up getting a voucher from the regional office that allowed me to pay for a young person to come to our house. It was still high turnover because they would all graduate and move away, but those girls were far superior to anyone being paid by the schools or an agency. This is Maine so I don't know if the vouchers happen in Massachusetts, and it was a long time ago, but I urge you to look beyond the programs and get a competent high school senior or college student into your home.
PS - It's a dead end because you're taking "no" from someone who can't give you "yes" in the first place. The worker can't give you anything expensive, it'll cost her her job. Yet she goes home at night knowing your family is in crisis. Do her a favor - go over her head!
2006-11-05 13:25:03 · answer #2 · answered by Kacky 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depending on her age and the severity of her autism you could try some afterschool programs at the local churches. Just explain her needs and most will try to accomodate. I know a lady whose 20 yr old autistic son still goes to the bible class for 1st graders. All the kids have learnered about people with handicaps and he thinks he is helping the teacher take care of the class
2006-11-05 13:20:24 · answer #3 · answered by shelly h 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I work for the Dept of Mental Retardation in CT I would think your child would be under this group as opposed to mental health...that being said phone DMR and ask them for help don't stop until you receive it. Ask for respite care, fight for a case manager that will help, what program does you child attend now? Is there any help there---speak to the child pediatrician...people don't realize that there is a lot out there but state's don't offer unless you ask...I hope I have given you some ideas-I'll keep thinking
2006-11-05 13:38:23 · answer #4 · answered by confused 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact the Children's Developmental Center in Quincy, MA.
2006-11-05 14:33:34 · answer #5 · answered by craftgirl03 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋