Purpose: Increasing demand for autism services is straining service systems. Tailoring services to best meet families' needs could improve their quality of life and decrease burden on the system. We explored overall, best, and worst met service needs, and predictors of those needs, for families of children with autism spectrum disorders. Methods:…

A cohort of nearly 11,000 persons was traced over 8 years to determine those who had moved from family care and those who had remained. The majority (85%) continued to live with families, and, for two thirds (67%), no future move was deemed necessary. The 2 main predictors of moving were as follows: A need had been previously recorded and the…

A study of respite services for families of persons with developmental disabilities indicated five major problems: inconsistent availability across the state, inconsistent planning and evaluation procedures, inadequate management information systems, lack of information to families, and lack of a career development model for respite workers.…

The 10 models of respite care for families of the retarded identified include: respite placement agencies, group day care, community residences, residential treatment facilities, group residential care, nursing homes, private inhome care, state institutions, camperships, and funding conduit. (Author/DB)

Five models for respite care services for families of developmentally disabled persons were developed, including use of a sitter or in-home companion, week-end day care, and boarding and/or group homes. A needs survey of 11 counties in Alabama identified 300 eligible persons and included information on behavior patterns, diagnosis, range and…

Designed for parents who wish to develop local respite care services for families with disabled children, this primer outlines strategies for: evaluating current available services and programs; pulling people together; conducting a needs assessment; raising money; and writing a proposal. (CB)

A respite care needs assessment survey was completed by 574 Iowa families of children with developmental disabilities. Results documented a void in the availability and accessibility of respite services regardless of demography, income level, or extent of disability. Respondents generally perceived that the availability of respite care service…

This fact sheet summarizes issues in the provision of respite services for families with children suffering from severe emotional disturbances. Background information supports the unmet need for respite care services to families caring for such children at home. A definition of "serious emotional disturbance" is provided and typical…

A survey of preschool children to establish the incidence of autistic or autistic-like behavior and unmet needs was carried out in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Forty-eight children ages two to seven were identified (3.8 boys to one girl). Among needs cited were behavior management consultation, respite care, and recreational programs.…

A survey of 190 families caring for people with mental retardation in North Wales addressed caregivers' assessments of unmet needs, particularly respite care needs; the relation between management of dependency and unmet needs; characteristics of families expressing the greatest need for respite care; and implications for policy and practice.…

The families of 26 adults with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) who either lived at home or maintained close contact with their families were interviewed about their social and psychological needs related to caring for the person with ASD. In contrast to previous studies of familial carers of children with ASDs, a strong association between…

Presented is the manual which resulted from a project to develop a program of relief or respite care for families with developmentally disabled members. Background on the respite care approach in Montgomery County (Maryland) is reviewed, and a long range and immediate goals of the project are outlined. Noted among results of a survey to determine…

This study surveyed how respite care services functioned for Swedish families who have children with disabilities and compared the results with a previous study made 6 years earlier. The study was based on a questionnaire completed by 245 of Sweden's municipalities. The study examined the quantity and quality of the services and respondents' views…

This conference proceedings reports on a 1989 meeting addressing respite care for families of children with mental, emotional or behavioral disorders. The conference addressed: (1) respite care concepts, programs, and issues; and (2) planning for designing, financing, and implementing state and local respite programs. The report contains the…

This paper reports on several projects conducted in Georgia over the past 2 years that move the development of respite care services toward the goal of becoming a "cooperative, collaborative, and coordinated" effort. An overview of respite care in Georgia is provided as well as a summary of strategies used to provide such care. Emerging…