How to Find a Sitter for an Autistic Child

Raising an autistic child is extremely difficult. It's essential to take breaks to preserve sanity and get some time alone. However, finding a caregiver for an autistic child is difficult. Special needs require special (and often extra) care and attention. This article details how to find a sitter for an autistic child.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Train a sitter. Find a good babysitter, and train her specifically for the child. This approach requires paying a sitter while training her, but it also offers the benefit of seeing the sitter interact with the child before actually leaving her with them.

2. Talk to other special needs parents. Other parents may have sitters they can recommend from experience.

3. Ask at the child's school. Sometimes teachers or aides are available to babysit children after hours. Make sure to find out how much they expect to be paid, since this route can be more expensive. However, leaving a child with a teacher he is familiar with, and who is familiar with him makes it easy to leave without worrying.

4. Contact an autism agency. The Autism Society can refer parents to the best routes to get a sitter experienced with special needs.

Tips & Warnings

• Be available by phone the first time leaving the child with the sitter in case there are problems.

[starlet67]

on 5/7/2009 Very good points for finding a sitter for an autistic child!5*

[thebeaddoodler]

on 10/25/2008 Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[Felicity]

on 10/24/2008 Excellent article; thanks for sharing these ideas here so that others can benefit from this knowledge too.

[iamageniuster]

on 10/24/2008 You got some excellent stuff here. 5 stars!