UK Disability Resource of Disabled Needs

The “Breaking Down the Barriers” report, published by national charity Shared Care Network, is based on a survey of families of children with autism who are linked to short break carers in their communities. Short break carers are ordinary people who look after a disabled child on a regular basis. This can be anything from an evening-a-week to a weekend-a-month.

The report shows that, not only do short breaks help children with autism develop skills and make friends; they also help the rest of their family to cope with the demands of caring for an autistic child.

The survey was in response to a report “A Life Less Ordinary” by the organisation New Philanthropy Capital which looked at the main barriers faced by people with autism and recommended areas of work which need further funding. It highlighted that;

- 4 out of ten children with autism had no friends at all(1)

- A third of adults with autism do not take part in any social activities (2)

- Only 3% of children with autism go on to live independently and half of adults live with their families. (3)

Shared Care Network's “Breaking Down the Barriers” report revealed the extent to which getting short breaks help break down these barriers. It showed that;

- Over half of parents surveyed said getting short breaks helped their autistic child make friends and 92% said it helped them gain social skills

- Over four fifths said it helped their child take part in social activities

- Nearly two thirds said they thought it helped them gain independence

- Over three quarters said short breaks made their child happier.

However the report highlights that there is a desperate shortage of short break carers and that nationally a third of disabled children on waiting lists have autism.

Candy Smith, Shared Care Network's Chief Executive said,

“Our 'Breaking Down the Barriers' report shows how much short break carers change the lives of children with autism and their families. However there is a real lack of awareness amongst the general public of the need for short break carers. Shared Care Network has welcomed the government's “Aiming High forDisabled Children” initiative which promises significant investment in short break provision for disabled children in England and children with autism are identified as a key priority. The challenge now is to recruit short break carers and professionals in the numbers needed. We urgently need people nationwide to come forward who are willing to 'Give a little time and Make a BIG difference' to children with autism and their families.”

Not only does the report highlight the benefits to children with autism; it showed that a break from caring is beneficial to the rest of the family enabling them to “live more like other families”. Short beaks enable parents to spend quality time with their non-disabled children and each other, have a break from “routines”, do things spontaneously and catch up on sleep and chores. Short breaks also give siblings of children with autism a break, a chance to have one-to-one attention from their parents and to do activities which are usually impossible. All the parents in the survey said getting a break helps the rest of the family cope with the demands of caring for a child with autism.

Beth Reid, policy & research officer for children at The National Autistic Society highlights the importance of training those providing short breaks and of ensuring parents are happy with the care their children receive on their short breaks. She says;

"Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition and without the right support it can have a profound and sometimes devastating effect on individuals and families. As autism affects people in very different ways, it is therefore crucial that parents can access a wide range of short break provision and that service providers have the training and skills to work more effectively with all children with the condition. The right help at the right time can make a huge difference”.

To read the “Breaking Down the Barriers” report log on to www.sharedcarenetwork.org.uk. To find out more about becoming a short break carers or services near you go to “Find a Scheme Near You”.
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