Seeking referrals for respite care for adult autistic
I am hoping this community can help me find referrals for a respite care individual for my very best friend’s adult autistic son, “J.” She recently tragically lost her husband with whom she wonderfully coparented my sweet “nephew.” J generally lives with the family of the caregiver who has helped care for him since he was diagnosed at age 2. J began living with them almost FT when he was about 26 years old. He is now 29 years old. My friend has J with her for about a week every month, but sometimes things come up with the caregiver’s family or with my friend where she needs extra help now that her husband is no longer with her. J is a wonderful, sweet, loving, nonverbal man, but can’t be left by himself. The combination of her grief, the demands of that kind of one on one care and her age (she is 71) can be overwhelming, and we are both trying to find someone she can call to watch J if she needs help. J is a Berkeley High grad from the special needs program and was educated through all the Berkeley school system. He is much loved and not difficult in any way - not violent or a bolter, etc. but the load on my dearest friend is heavy. Does anybody have any referrals? (She is of course, aware of the regional center, but this need goes much beyond that given his age.) Thank you!