Daycare

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I live in Grand Forks, ND USA (I know not everyone here is from the US). TACA is the only support group around here I believe.

Just to clarify, do you have a job right now? And are you looking for a solution for right now and long term, or do you have a daycare set up in September? Also, what are the options for a child who has been dx (if he has been dx) in your area? Are there special needs or integrated daycares which provide aides?

Yes, I am working part-time right now at a grocery store. I'm kind of looking for a solution for both now and the future. I actually gave my 4 weeks notice of childcare ending today. He will be needing daycare now in September so I will be making some phone calls. He will be in Special Needs preschool starting Sept 2nd. 4 days a week for about 3 hours a day. Hoping to get him on the bus system to go to therapy and maybe can pick him up at daycare. It is possible he is done going to daycare as we have had some other issues dealing with her. Long story short- I'm suppose to get childcare assistance. Social services told me she is suppose to reimburse me. She says she doesn't do reimbursements. Will be talking to Soc. Services tomorrow. I can't afford to pay her rates and she would be getting $ from both me & the state so it's pretty messed up.

My son has a diagnosis of ASD. Right now he is considered severe because he doesn't talk yet. He will be 3 on Aug. 10th. There is one daycare that has therapy right there. I have been on the waiting list for a year or so. Called the other day and we are 13th on the waiting list.. pretty much where we were a year ago..

Thanks... systems are so different in different places it's hard to give a lot of suggestions. I agree that the woman providing daycare now is taking advantage of both you and social services... That *is* indeed messed up.
It is too bad that the special needs program in the fall is only a few hours a day, and that therapy isn't offered there. Here we have both integrated daycares (with aides if necessary) and in-home autism programs. Mind you, they don't help with the work situation either. Since you do get assistance for costs of daycare, I wonder if having someone come into your home is an affordable option... That person could drive your son to daycare and to therapy and be with him for another few hours to give you a regular workday. The advantage is that sometimes group situations can be overwhelming, and having someone come to your home is easier if your child is ill or simply not feeling up to going out.
I'm wondering if there are community organizations that can help... Do you have community living (for people with intellectual disabilities) or other disability organizations? I find that calling them can be really helpful.
It sounds like it's going to be complicated to get everything in place. I hope in the fall things will come together. These are the things people don't understand about the financial situations of parents with kids on the spectrum.
J.

Postcards57:
Sorry if I was confusing. My son does go to therapy but it is not a part of daycare. He also gets Respite Care (in-home support) and talk to them to see if that is an option. I don't think they are normally for work- mostly a break for the parents. I think I get 20 hours for September, which isn't a lot but it would help if they could pick him up from school and watch him for a while. Anne Carlsen Center is in Grand Forks. That's where he gets in-home supports. May also get him into ABA but the Disability Director for the Autism Waiver (Medicaid) is in another city in ND.

But I gave my 4 weeks notice of ending childcare yesterday. Now she wants $ for the next 2 weeks. I have already paid her for the last 2 weeks. I talked to Social Services today. There's a form, if she signs which she said she will, I will get reimbursement from social services instead of her. I showed them receipts that I have been paying her. They also told me there was another complaint against her. I- by strange chance- talked to the person who filed the complaint and her kids told her that she naps on the couch while they are in daycare. She said her 9 yr old daughter took a video of her napping and the daycare provider deleted it. So, she is shady.

My son isn't in daycare any more. My boyfriend is going to watch him until we figure out a better option. My son will be in Preschool and getting ABA pretty soon.