The need for respite support for people with autism

Autism Initiatives UK recognises the importance that respite support can have in maintaining the quality of home life for the person with autism and their families and carers.

Autism can impact on the whole of the family lifestyle including family recreation, finances, social relations with friends, relatives, and neighbours, and the emotional, physical, and mental well-being of parents and siblings. Consequently, quality respite support is often a basic support need for families and families who report less stress usually are the recipients of good respite support.

Autism Initiatives UK approach

Autism Initiatives UK approach to providing respite support is to work holistically in partnership with families and carers to ensure that where possible consistency of support is provided, working within existing routines and preferred activities, thereby minimising anxieties.

Our respite services are also able to provide extended periods of respite support which can enable intensive, focused interventions or assessments to take place.

Short term emergency placements may be offered subject to availability, in response to a family emergency or crisis situations.

Autism Initiatives UK also seeks to be actively involved in national networks of autism respite services, promoting an increase in the range and variety of respite support.

Autism Initiatives UK respite services

Currently we are able to offer residential respite support at:

• Barnsbury Road, West Derby , Liverpool (5 places for adults)
• Peterhouse School, Southport (2 children)
• Auchenhuive, Aberdeenshire (5 places for adults and children over 12 years old)

Many of our other support services are able to offer home based respite support, which offers a break to the family while the individual can continue with their daily routine.

Please consider a donation to support our respite care, click here for more information.