PARENTAL ADVICE
In-Home Childcare
T
his may be either based in your home with
a nanny, or in someone else’s home with a
child-minder. A nanny has the advantage of
giving one-on-one care, and often a home
environment can seem more comfortable
and familiar to the child with autism who
may struggle with changes in routine or
day-to-day differences. There are disadvantages
though: nannies are often expensive, and if you are
a work-from-home parent, then it can be difficult to
concentrate with a child still in the house.
Children cared for in the home also may not receive
as much social interaction, although this can be
a positive or a negative depending on where your
child falls on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If
he/she has high-functioning autism, then you may
want them to get used to being around other chil-
dren ready for mainstream schooling, whereas a
nonverbal child with autism may struggle with the
social interaction in a large group. The symptoms of
autism are so varied that you need to find someone
who will treat your child as an individual, catering
to his/her particular needs. A child-minder is often a
great midway point between a nanny and a daycare
center as they usually only look after a few children,
so he/she is often able to give your child more at-
tention than in a group setting. The child-minder’s
house can also become a home away from home,
somewhere where your child feels comfortable with-
out you, gradually gaining some independence.
Daycare Center
Recent statistics indicate that nearly 11 million chil-
dren under five are in daycare. It may seem a daunting
prospect if you have an autistic child, but for some, a
daycare facility can be a great option. Many children
with autism thrive on routine, which is usually cus-
tomary in daycare, and it can be a great preparation
for the transition to school. Careful research of day-
care facilities can also reveal some real gems—you
may be able to find somewhere local to you that has
experience in working with children with autism, or
that employs specially trained professionals. They of-
ten also have access to resources (such as being able
to refer you to relevant medical services) and links
to the community, which can be of great benefit to
both you and your child. On the other hand, some
children will struggle with large groups, and may
find the noise in large centers particularly unnerving.
Key Questions to Keep in Mind
Whatever childcare setting you are thinking about,
there are some key things that you will always want
to look at, and some questions to always ask, such
as making sure health and safety procedures are ad-
hered to and that proper insurance is in place. It can
be handy to have these questions written down so
that you don’t forget anything when you first vis-
it—it can feel like an overwhelming process to begin
with! It’s good practice to also stagger your visits, so
that you can assess and get a feel for the setting first,
then bring your child along for the second visit when
you’ve narrowed down the options. Reputable child-
care providers will always encourage this as they will
want to ensure they are the right fit for the child. How
they interact with your child and how your child re-
acts to them can be a good indicator whether or not
you’ve found the right fit—you know your child best
and know how to read how he/she is feeling about
the new situation.
Embracing Individuality
You may already be a member of a support group,
and they can be a great resource for providing rec-
ommendations. As with many aspects of being the
parent of a child with autism, though, what is appro-
priate for your individual child is key—what’s right
for one won’t work for another. Remember too that
sometimes you don’t know unless you give it a go—
so be open to possibilities, ask questions, and try, try,
and try again until you find the right environment,
where your child will be happy and thrive.
Now working as a writer, Jackie Edwards started her
career in finance and banking, but after becoming
a mom, refocused and decided to spend more time
with her family. When she’s not writing, she volun-
teers for a number of local mental health charities
and also has a menagerie of pets to look after. Jack-
ie’s youngest daughter is on the autism spectrum
and, in her earliest years at school, suffered from
issues with bullying. Jackie now speaks out about
this when she can.
Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 68 |
17