Continued from here.

You’ve decided that you or your child needs respite. How do you find it?

If the adoption is finalized, the choice is yours, so your options are far greater.



Therapists- Ask your therapist, school counselors, or mental health providers. They will know other parents in your situation who might be interested in trading respite.

Support groups- If you have an in person support group, ask other parents if they have resources, or if they are interested in trading respite.

On-line groups- If you’re part on any on-line groups like the adoption.com groups or the ATN groups, try to form regional contacts. In both groups, we have started Midwest groups that meet on a fairly regular basis. There are also groups in the Northeast, and in Georgia. We are able to network with each other for resources, support, and respite.

Contact ATN- At the Attachment & Trauma Network, we keep a list of respite providers that we hear about. We may not have anyone in your area, but we may know of other parents who might be able to help guide you.

Specialty camps- There are some camps that work with your child’s disabilities. There are special needs camps across the United States that deal with Autism, substance abuse, ADHD, developmental delays, and much more. Information can be found here, and here. There is a Tourette’s camp near Chicago. Easter Seals offers summer camps. Do a search on special needs camps to find many more results.

One of the next questions is, how do you pay for it?

Adoption assistance- You can have this worked into your adoption assistance agreement. You will need to have an idea of costs before you finalize, and an idea of how often you would utilize respite.

Trading respite- If you develop a network of other families, you can trade respite back and forth. I have never paid for respite, nor have I charged for it. Some parents have chosen to pay me, but I don’t have a “set price”, nor do I ask for money upfront. Work out an agreement with other families.

Churches- Our church has scholarship funds that help families in need. We can receive scholarships to send our kids to church sponsored camps or events. Check with your church to see if they have funds available to help.

Wrap around programs- Sammy’s wrap around program is helping with funding on outside events for him.

It is perfectly OK to use respite, as long as you don’t abuse it.

NACAC Dr. Gregory Keck respite article