My heart goes out to this mother who put her trust in staff working at an adult daycare in Cincinnati. Shee thought the staff were experienced at caring for her son with autism.
The only thing that RMS got right in the article is how challenging it is caring for a child or adult with severe delays in development (which is why they are placed in a special workshops and care centers.)
RMS, according to their mission, is a "family of human service organizations providing residential, vocation, and recreational support to individuals with developmental disabilities."
What surprises me is that no one at RMS communicated their concerns to the mother beforehand about his behavior. It was only after she went to the press that suddenly there was an issue with his behavior. If he fell, it should have been documented. If there was an issue, it should have been documented.
Aren't they suppose to be the experts?
One thing to look at before considering a respite or day center is to ask about the experience and training staff have with adults who are on the spectrum. If your son or daughter is on the spectrum, you want someone who has experience so they can avoid the triggers. You don't want them endangering themselves or others, so what kind of protection services for clients mixed up with other clients with behavioral plans?
If there is a behavior plan, for example, ask what staff know about avoiding triggers without impacting quality, purposeful, and dignified care.
My experience with respite, leisure, and recreational care is that there are some really awful places out there in Cincinnati driven solely for profit. I mean, "run, don't walk" awful.
Make sure you go with a respite or day care with a really good reputation. Redwood Therapy Center in Northern Ky, St. Joseph's, Stepping Stones, Metzcor, Sunny Spot, and ABS are a few to name off the top of my head. These are the places that repeatedly come up in community conversations about offering quality care. They hire staff with experience so they know how to guide behaviors that can be difficult. They will communicate with parents/caregivers daily about any unusual behaviors they see developing in your son or daughter. They will be concerned because they care about what kind of day your son or daughter is having away from home.
What do you look for?
Look to see what the adults are doing throughout the day. Are they guided through activities based on their abilities?
Ask about the experience the staff have with the population of adults with special needs and on the spectrum. Where did they get their training?
Observe how they are touching clients. Are they grabbing arms or gently guiding?
What are you hearing? Kind and calming language?
Is the room welcoming? Do you see cabinets with activity bins, games, and adaptive equipment? Are there tables and comfortable chairs?
Most importantly, do you see staff directly working with clients in small group activities?
How many staff are in the room directly or do they count "staff" who are in the offices or on the premises?
Ask staff directly how long they've been working there?
High staff retention is a good thing. The more staff you see around the room working or guiding clients, the better the organization.
It's really important that you drop in as much as you possibly can. Even if it's just for a minute to say hello and see what they're doing.
Sure, things are not going to be perfect. But, anytime you drop in, you should see your loved one doing something meaningful with a group that is guided by a staff.
It should feel and look like they are being welcomed and in the best of care.
It's what they deserve.
