FOOTPRINTS provides respite services for families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Durham Region.  With programs located in Pickering and Whitby, FOOTPRINTS strives to provide respite care to as many as possible. 

Having a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder can be one of the most stressful situations a parent ever faces.  The diagnosis is just the beginning of the journey as both the child and parent must learn together how to identify, prepare for and manage the variety of behaviours that make up the Spectrum.  These might include impaired cognition and communication, social deficits, frequent tantrums and other challenging behaviours that often lead to physical and emotional exhaustion for all involved.  Faced with such overwhelming stress and barriers, many parents of children with ASD find themselves overwhelmed and unable to cope.

Respite care can help ease some of the burden on these families.  Respite care ensures that, for a few hours each month, the families can enjoy a short but much needed break from the 24/7 care required by these children.  Respite time allows parents to pay extra attention to their other children, spend some time together, run errands or just have some down-time.

The program at FOOTPRINTS is geared towards recreation, rather than therapy, for children.  Many children affected by ASD spend several hours a week in therapy classes and often this does not provide a lot of time for social play and to just 'be'’.  Under the guidance of trained volunteers, who are supervised by a trained Program Consultant, FOOTPRINTS offers participants social interaction with others in a safe and happy environment.