This directory offers a list of providers, planners, and researchers involved in respite care services for families with children who are mentally retarded, behaviorally disturbed, or physically disabled. The directory, based on information available as of October 1989, lists over 1,800 respite care providers and their addresses and telephone…

The manual is designed to provide basic information on disabilities to future respite providers. The first chapter examines the nature and characteristics of handicaps in general as well as specific types, such as cerebral palsy, deafness, mental retardation, and behavioral disabilities. The chapter also introduces changing social notions…

The newsletter offers perspectives on the provision of family support services for families with disabled members. An introductory article by Madeleine Will, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, stresses the impressive coping skills exhibited by many such families and their relationship to service professionals.…

A home-based respite care program for children and young adults with severe and multiple disabilities was conceived and developed by a group of parents and community members. A needs assessment revealed the scarcity of respite care in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area. A pilot program was begun to test the model on a limited basis. Evaluation of…

The manual covers the design and implementation of respite care services for families with developmentally disabled members. An introductory chapter examines the concept of respite care, notes the benefits for families, providers, and community residential programs, and places the service as one part of a comprehensive array of family support…

In spite of the growing awareness and development of respite services, many families in need of them have little or no access. This is especially true for families whose children have emotional handicaps. A rationale for respite services supports parents' entitlement to respite care, its importance to all family members, and its help in improving…

The paper examines issues of respite care specifically as they relate to developmentally disabled persons in Minnesota. A review of the literature focuses upon the status of respite care services in the state as well as the need for respite care and its role in an array of family support services. Family services are described in terms of those in…

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.…

Evaluates two respite programs which offer families temporary relief from caring for elderly relatives: an institutional program for those needing constant nursing attention, and a residential plan for those requiring housekeeping and companion services. Benefits for clients, family, and community appear to be indisputable. (Author/ABB)

A review of the changes in the treatment of and attitudes toward cerebral palsy in the last 30 years is presented. The author stresses the need for early diagnosis and evaluation, day care (especially respite care), counseling, transportation, special living arrangements, and integration of this population. (PHR)

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.…

Parents of 36 autistic children were assessed on child functioning and family stress variables in relation to use of respite care services. Results suggest that parents with more difficult children need and use respite care more than others. Nonusers of respite care reported a higher perception of social support than users. (JDD)

Studied effects of five 12-month support strategy treatments on family caregivers (N=541) of impaired elderly persons. Found caregivers of elderly persons remaining in community reported lower levels of subjective burden. Found services delayed nursing home placement by adult child caregivers but encouraged placement by spouse caregivers.…

Analysis of data on family support services and spending for individuals with developmental disabilities presents information on cash subsidy payments, respite care, and other family support. A graph shows U.S. spending for family support, 1986-1998. Additional tables break down subsidy spending for family support services by state in 1998 and…

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…