Finding a Babysitter
‘Why don’t you just get a babysitter?’ is probably the most repeated, most ignorant line that autism parents hear. The more profound your child’s autism, the harder it is to find someone who is qualified and willing to care for them. In addition, you need to find someone safe whom you trust.
Asking Around
I found that other parents were a bit guarded about their babysitters. Given how hard it is to find one, I can’t say I blame them. So, I asked trusted school personnel for recommendations. They often had friends in nearby districts who had already been background checked by the schools. They also know your child and can suggest a caregiver who might be a good fit for your family. We’ve had good luck with this strategy!
Miss N
Miss N was a special ed teacher in a nearby school who came to work with Mikey after school on independent play. She also did some babysitting for us when our schedules matched up. She was a gem! Here is her facebook post from ten years ago tonight when she watched Mikey for us.
‘Simply the best!’ is right!! Thanks, Miss N!!
Share This Post
About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
Let's Connect
Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates