Residential Care and Autism: What Are Your Options?
Autism comes in many different forms depending on whereabouts in the spectrum of symptoms a person lays. People with mild autistic symptoms or even quite moderate symptoms can lead normal, productive lives. People with more severe symptoms often need care and support to help them to get by in the world and to understand and relate to the people around them.
Whilst this support and care is normally provided for a person with autism by their parents and family as children and young adults, as they (and their parents) grow older it can become more difficult to support them at home. For some families that can mean making a difficult choice: to keep caring for them at home even if it is no longer possible to meet all of their needs, or to consider looking for a care home.
Specialist autism care homes exist, and finding one shouldn’t be too difficult. Finding the right one for your loved one might be harder than simply typing ‘autism care’ into a search engine – you’ll need to be satisfied that your loved one’s particular needs will be met and that they will be cared for and respected in their new home.
Going to live in an autism care home doesn’t mean that a person with autism can no longer partake in the ‘real world’. Good autism care homes offer a range of care, support and opportunities for people with autism to engage in – often within the local community. This is acknowledged, as part of autism care, to help to maintain a meaningful and purposeful life for a person with autism.
Depending on the nature of the autism care required, you could choose from several different types of autism care home. For example, an ‘Immediate Care Facility’ is a bit like a hospital – there are doctors and nurses available day and night and specialists are on hand to offer training on managing basic living skills. There are other specialists available to offer services like speech therapy and occupational therapy as required.
Another type of autism care home is the Supervised Community Residence – a place where people with autism can live in supervised housing with 24-hour help available on site. The aim of such residences is to teach people with autism the skills that they will need to be able, eventually, to live independently: these skills include things like cooking, interpersonal communication and behavioural skills.
If you think that your loved one might benefit from being cared for in a specialist home then do your homework on what facilities are available locally (so that it is easy for you to visit) and what reviews and reports are available about those places. Then visit the care homes and see for yourself what the atmosphere is like. Try to speak to relatives of other residents, or the residents themselves if possible. Finally, take your loved one to the facility to see if they feel comfortable there. A good care home will be happy for you to ask as many questions as you need to.
How to Choose a Care Home for a Person with Autism
There is no such thing as ‘typical Autism’ – everyone with symptoms on the Autistic Spectrum is unique and will have different types and levels of need. This can make choosing a specialist Autism care home a difficult task – how do you find one that is suited to that individual, which will meet their needs whilst helping to maintain their independence and character?
The level of Autism care required varies from person to person. Of course, many people with Autism don’t need to live in a care home at all – they are perfectly capable of living independently in their own home. But if a person requires the support that can only be provided by a care home, their loved ones will be faced with the task of finding the right care home environment for them.
There are several different types of care home. These include: immediate care facilities (ICFs) which offer 24-hour care by doctors and nurses, and services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and nutritional therapy. ICFs are designed for people who cannot care for themselves. Then there are Supervised Community Residences, which are homes that provide life-skill courses and training (things like job skills and interpersonal communication) with a view to the resident ultimately becoming able to live independently.
In order to choose which type of care home is right for your loved one, first they will need an assessment from a social worker who can determine their level of need and what support will be necessary.
Armed with that knowledge, you can shop around for care homes that have the services that meet the needs of your loved ones. A prime consideration is geographical location, since you won’t want a care home that is so far away that no-one can visit your loved one. Check whether the care home has set visiting hours or whether they will let you visit any time. Ask if they will adapt to your loved one’s needs or if they would expect your loved one to adapt to their routine (e.g. will they cater for special diets or preferences; do they expect residents to be asleep at a particular time and so on).
Every care home must have an inspection report (prepared by the Care Quality Commission) and you should read it. But nothing can be better than actually visiting the setting to get a feel for how it runs. You can arrange an appointment, or you could drop in unannounced so that you can see how the setting is run when they are not expecting visitors.
If you are finding it hard to provide for your loved one’s needs, the services and treatments offered by care homes for autistic people offer a good alternative to caring for a person in their own home. A care home will ensure that your loved one receives not only medical treatment but also social interaction and support that may otherwise be lacking or hard to put in place at home. Do your research carefully to find the right care home and you and your loved one will be sure to be well cared-for.
Caring for a Person with Autism
Autism is probably one of the most dreaded words in the English language, at least for parents. A diagnosis can mean a lifetime of autism care with unique challenges for both the carer and the sufferer. There are some common misconceptions about autism and its effects on the quality of life, contrary to what you may have heard people with autism can go on to lead productive, even successful lives. The difference for these patients over others who never communicate is basic intelligence and early intervention.
First Signs Although autism is present at birth, there are few signs of the disorder until a child is between the ages of one and three. Typically the first people to notice potential problems are family members or carers. It is at this early stage that intervention and treatment is very important, if you see signs that your child may suffer from autism or a related spectrum disorder you should consult your physician with your suspicions.
Things to watch for include lack of connection, inability to look you in the face, preoccupation with parts of a toy, lack of interest in being held or playing games such as peek a boo. If you are indeed caring for a person with autism there are steps you can take early on to improve their quality of life later.
Issues An autistic individual may react strongly to outside stimulation. For example many autistic individuals bright lights and loud noises, as well as being very resistant to any type of change. This can present a very unique situation when it comes to caring for a child or even an adult with autism. Other common occurrences are rhythmic rocking, obsessive-compulsive actions and an inability to connect with others.
Treatment Autism is generally treated with behavioral and occupational therapy as well as medication in some cases. These therapies tend to be intense and focused aimed at improving self-care and verbal skills. One of the biggest barriers to an autism sufferer is being unable to communicate with people. Community support and specific training for parents and carers is also key.
Options As you can see, caring for a person with autism is an massive responsibility. Parents and carers can become overwhelmed at times. This is where a good autism care home or supportive living situation can be a blessing. Barchester is one such option available to residents from all over the UK. With treatment being such an important part of successful living for an autism sufferer, it is wise to get all the help you can.
Barchester's Care Homes Barchesters is a care home and supported living facility; they assist people with many different medical issues including dementia, aspergers, Huntington's, Parkinson's and many other conditions. These facilities were started by Mike Parsons in 1993 in Gloucestershire. He wanted better options for others who needed living facilities for their loved ones having experienced trouble finding just that with two of his own relatives. The centers began on a 17th century farm called Morten Hill. They now have many such homes all over the country in which they provide quality care based on a clients individual needs.
Conclusion Barchester's is considered one of the best care home companies in the United Kingdom. They are now located in over 200 locations and service around 10,000 clients. For those caring for a person with autism this company provides many options including a short term or respite care. Respite care allows families to get a breather while continuing therapy and education for the individual with autism.
Caring for People with Asperger’s Syndrome
Thanks largely to greater understanding and recognition of Autistic Spectrum Disorders including Asperger’s, far more children are recognised as having Asperger’s Syndrome than ever before. Asperge care and services for children are more widely available.
That’s wonderful, because it means that they get the help that they need from a young age, and fewer children are being marginalised and stigmatised for being ‘different’. These children benefit, usually through the school system, from things like social skills training and, if necessary, occupational health and behaviour support. Sensory sensitivity is recognised for what it is and their surroundings can be adapted accordingly.
But, Asperger services for adults are not as universally available and usually have to be sought out. Further, it’s not always easy to accept a diagnosis of Asperger’s in adulthood, so taking that step further and accepting that certain support services and care might be needed is a hard one to take. Whilst some people are relieved to have a diagnosis, that makes everything about their life suddenly make sense, others are understandably angry or upset.
If you or a loved one are diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, you don’t have to do anything. You can accept the diagnosis and continue with your life unchanged. But if you want to explore it further and accept support and care services that might help and improve your quality of life, then you can start by exploring the options available to you.
If you decide that you want to make some changes to some aspects of your life (whether that be social or health, employment or family) then you can tailor the care services to your particular needs. A staggering 65% of adults with Asperger’s Syndrome have never received a community care assessment through Social Services, and many people choose to seek help on a private basis. Barchester Healthcare offer a range of services and have experts on hand to advise and support people looking to improve their quality of life following a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. You can, if you wish, have a full assessment of your needs and a report produced that highlights the sort of help that can improve things for you. These might be cognitive therapy, social skills support, vocational help, and sensory integration therapy.
Barchester Healthcare offers a range of services and support teams and experts to help your loved one towards rehabilitation. Barchester is committed to a person-centred approach to healthcare and takes pride in providing personalised services and support for its clients.
When you want the best out of the available autism care homes, you are going to need to do your homework. There are a lot of options out there. There is no mistaking that. The thing is though; you have to find the homes that stand out above the rest.
You need a centre that can design the appropriate care level around the needs of your loved one. This will make sure that your family member will enjoy their stay.
If what you want is an environment of group living, you are still going to want a smaller set up. Also, you want to be sure that you are finding the best autism care homes that are perfect for the age of your loved one. Whether you have an older teenager or an elder, you are going to want to find the best option for them. A place such as the Barchester care Home is ideal.
At a place with the most autism services, they are able to give the care and support that everyone needs, no matter their age. You will not have to worry about them. You will not have to question your decision. You will know that you did what was in their best interest.
If this is something you have been putting off, now is the time to start making phone calls. Be sure to view as many autism care homes as possible. Ask as many questions as you can about their care of their autistic residents. The more you do your research on the care home, the more confident you will be with your decision.
Guide to Aspergers syndrome
Asperger care is incredibly beneficial for both the child who is suffering, and the family which are trying to support them through this difficult time. There is not a huge amount of documentation regarding this condition; however, it is being diagnosed far more than ever before.
Dealing with the everyday challenges that Asperger's brings, can be daunting, therefore, finding support and Asperger services is essential. Children with this condition will find it incredibly difficult to communicate, therefore, needing more support. Everyday social skills, and interaction with other people can be daunting, and providing the correct Asperger care is crucial.
As the child struggles to communicate, and be understood by the people around them, they may become frustrated, which can lead to behavioural issues and problems. Making friends will be difficult for a child with Asperger's, and they will lead a highly solitary life. Trying to find the correct Asperger care is crucial, to ensure that your child leads a normal life.
There are several different levels of the Asperger's condition, and your child may suffer from unusually mild to extreme symptoms. Many parents do not notice that their child is suffering from any form of Asperger's and some children simply adapt to their way of life. When child show mild symptoms, they are often miss-diagnosed with some other behavioural problem.
The common symptoms, which are related to Asperger’s, may include repetitive behaviour, awkwardness around other children and a distinct lack of common sense. Your child may find it difficult to cope in social environments, and may react badly to being given an instruction. As they mature, our child will not understand humour, and will take many things which are said to heart.
Finding top quality Asperger's services is difficult, however, as more children are being diagnosed there are more support groups, and help available for parents. You will want to provide your child with the correct Asperger care to ensure that they understand how to behave in public.
Children with Asperger's will struggle with facial expressions and body language. This can lead to many misunderstandings and embarrassing moments for both your child and you. Trying to support your child as they struggle with daily tasks can become extremely daunting; however, if you provide the correct Asperger care it will become easier.
There are not all bad things with Asperger's, and you may find that your child is extremely talented with individual things such as math. Numbers, facts and information will interest children with Asperger's and these subjects should be encouraged. Whatever your child is showing an interest in, supporting them in that area, will help with their overall social skills.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Asperger's, and all you can do as parents is support your child. Every day will be a new challenge, and although there will be difficult times, there will also be immensely rewarding days. Your child will need support with their developmental skills, which can be difficult; however, if you locate the correct Asperger services, they will be able to help.