Help-Where do your kids go after School?

[jojosmom]

I'm in desparate need of help. My ds7 is being released from the hospital Satursday, after being there since April! However, the only theraputic daycare that I know of, and the one he was enrolled in, won't admit him back because of his "severe behaviors".

I can't put him into a "regular" daycare such as the YMCA because of his sensory issues. So now my work has agreed to let me bring JOe with now. We'll see how long that lasts!

What does everyone do? I have no family that is willing to watch my sweet boy. THey would rather give me a kidney while still awake

I've asked hte hospital, his school, people on the street. Apparently no one who has a child with disabilities works in the State of Rhode ISland.

Help.

 

[cymomtx]

Have you contacted your local ARC:


Introduction to The Arc

MISSION STATEMENT
The Arc of the United States advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together with our network of members and affiliated chapters, we improve systems of supports and services; connect families; inspire communities and influence public policy

I did a google on them and found their web site: www.thearc.org

I know that they offer respite care and have lots of resources.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

This is a huge issue in our area. I have often dreamed of starting some kind of therapeutic after school program just for this reason.

Some things families I've known or worked with have done:

If their child is in a special school, they usually have an aftercare program that caters to special needs kids -- I'm guessing you'd know this if your son was in this kind of a situation.

Advertise for a babysitter at a local college with a special education program. Often a graduate student will be glad for the experience.

Therapeutic "day hospitalization" programs at the local Children's hospital often lasts longer than a traditional school program and is covered by insurance.

None of these are great suggestions, and for that I apologize. Like I said, I know so many families that struggle with this.

 

[Talking Hands]

Have you checked the after school care at the school he is enrolled in. The school I am at has after care for special needs children as well as regular kids. The groups are separate and the rooms for the special needs kids have smaller numbers of kids.

 

[Hedy]

Most SNK's I knew went to an ARC. Otherwise, try asking around.

 

[shoegirl1020]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try the ARC. In regards to afterschool care at his school, he does go to a special school for kids with behavior problems (that's a whole other issue with the school). Anyway the State used to fund the afterschool program but stopped because none of the kids enrolled had parents that worked so the State (rightfully so) decided not to fund daycare for kids not in need.

Sorry if the above sounded mean I am so frustrated right now.

Lke one of the posts I now dream of opening a daycare that accepts everyone. I'll just add that to my list of things to do when I can retire (in about 35 years ) My other hope, which I hope to do within the next few years is to open a "club" for these kids that they can come to and have a friend, do a craft and not worry about being "asked to leave"

 

[barkley]

i'm retired now, but when i worked and ds needed daycare that was appropriate to his special needs i ended up utilizing the fmla to get time off until i found an appropriate placement. my son's pediatrician did the paperwork saying he needed specialized care based on his medical situation and barring an appropriate placement it had to be provided by me. since the 12 weeks the act provides can be broken into hours it can cover a large number of days if it's just a matter of 2 or 3 hours per day.

i was able to first exhaust my sick, vacation and floating time after which i ended up out of pay status-but depending on your tax bracket sometimes a drop in earnings can result in far less earnings loss than you would think.

 

[SueM in MN]

My DD attended a regular day care until she was 12 (and over the age limit).

Here are some helpful resources:
The ARC's FAQs about Day Care and the ADA.
and another set of FAQs from the US Department of Justice. They may be saying they can't accomidate him because of this:

8. Q: What about children whose presence is dangerous to others? Do we have to take them, too?

A: No. Children who pose a direct threat -- a substantial risk of serious harm to the health and safety of others -- do not have to be admitted into a program. The determination that a child poses a direct threat may not be based on generalizations or stereotypes about the effects of a particular disability; it must be based on an individualized assessment that considers the particular activity and the actual abilities and disabilities of the individual.

But, I believe that they would have to re-judge him after his hospitalization based on the direct threat he would present now, which may be different than it was before he was treated.

 

[shoegirl1020]

Thanks for the information on the ADA. If I run into a problem at the YMCA (where I just enrolled him) I will use this to see if it helps. Hopefully he can be safe there.