Perhaps family members can no longer provide caregiver help for your child with special needs due to work or other responsibilities. Maybe your little one will benefit more from individualized services instead of day care. Whatever the situation is, matching your child with special needs with the right caregiver does not have to be challenging. Use these tips to get started.

How to Find a Caregiver for Your Child

1. Consider Your Child’s Specific Care Requirements

Make a list of what your child needs most from their caregiver, such as eating, bathing, and bathroom assistance, as well as socialization and routine medication administration.

Also, consider the amount of attention and monitoring your child requires daily in light of issues such as impulse control challenges, as well as the number of hours a day the home health professional will work.

2. Conduct Separate Interviews

Request at least two interviews with potential caregivers: one with you and one with you and your child to see how the person speaks to your young one. Learn about their experience, knowledge, and motivations during each interview. For example, ask whether the individual has worked with children who have a similar disability as your little one in the past and why they want to assist individuals with special needs.

The right caregiver should also be physically capable of working with your child and any equipment they utilize, such as wheelchairs. If your little one relies on a wheelchair, the home health professional must be strong enough to move it as necessary.

3. Perform Multiple Reference Checks

Do several reference interviews with families who have worked with the caregiver previously. Complete at least three interviews to get a clearer idea of the individual’s conduct with their charges, punctuality, experience, and overall professionalism.

Ask the family how the caregiver interacted with their child and how they handled challenges, such as crying or hesitation to eat or take medications. It’s important that other families felt comfortable with the caregiver to give you peace of mind.

If you need an extra hand to help care for your child with special needs, the team at Deer Valley Home Health Services will help. Serving the St. Louis, MO, area since 2005, this woman-owned company offers an extensive range of home health care services for children with special needs. Call (314) 355-3679 to get started or learn more about services for children online.