Respite Care
If you simply need a break and would like to leave your loved one in the hands of a trusted and certified service provider, this knight in shining armor can help “take the load off a few hours a week. Essentially, this is someone who would “babysit” your loved one, so that you can go to a movie, out to dinner, take a vacation, visit an event, or simply take a nap. Respite care can also be provided overnight as well.
"Respite" literally means taking a break from the daily challenges associated with caring for anyone (child or family member) with special needs including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and cognitive/intellectual disabilities.
If you need an emotional (or physical) break from taking care of your loved one, respite care might be the answer. This type of care can take place in either your home or outside your home, like a community center (or really, wherever is needed.)
Respite care is offered for adults and children with developmental disabilities. Included in these services are the sharpening of self-care skills, social skills, assistance in communication, and hygiene.
Habilitation
Habilitation is similar to respite care, however includes an element of meeting ISP needs (Individualized Support Plan, provided by the Division of Developmental Disabilities in Arizona.)
This service uses a variety of methods designed to maximize the person’s abilities. It may include habilitative therapies, special developmental skill instruction, behavior interventions or sensory motor development. This treatment can occur in your home, or a community setting.
Habilitation helps a child or family member with disabilities learn, keep, or improve skills and functional abilities that they may not be developing normally. The way habilitation is different from respite care is that the services are customized based on the client's goals and level of functioning, which we work with you to define. The focus is assisting with increased independence by helping with improving communication, learning adaptive skills, and independent living.
Group Support
Group support is a wonderful way to increase social interactions among adults and children with developmental disabilities. It is a form of respite care that enables our clients to have meaningful social experiences in the community.
Group support can take the form of respite care, where a provider and client meet up with another provider and client and go out into the community. With the approval of guardians, the EE scheduling team can help match providers and clients with others. This is an excellent way to receive support while socializing and participating in activities outside the home.
Camps
Group Support can also be found in EE seasonal camps. These camps are available to families during breaks such as summer, winter, fall, and more on the PS Academy Arizona campus. They include many activities such as cooking, art, music, physical activity, and field trips to local attractions. The camps are focused on promoting socialization, team-building, teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership skills, respect, and self-awareness, among others.
