Homesharing

An innovative and natural system of support for families of children with severe form of autism. Host family or a host person selected from the general public is regularly taking care about the child, who is as a result gaining new social contacts and developing new social skills. Meanwhile the family of the child has time to rest from the everyday endless care and arrange common personal or family needs.Caring for such children is difficult and often continuous.For the public is the project offering the opportunity to actively and naturally support people with disabilities and their families.

People with autism, especially low-functioning autism, are often rejected by social service providers due to their demanding behaviour and high support needs. Family members are left without assistance and often provide all care for these children. In addition, the children often lack essential external stimuli and socialisation. Family caregivers also face chronic stress and exhaustion.  

Homesharing provides informal shared care for children with autism and their families. Community members are trained and assist families as “hosts” by taking care of the child with autism. The child’s family has the opportunity to rest and have free time, while the child socialises with their hosts and interact with others outside their family.

The target group are children with low-functioning autism and their families. Homesharing brings people with disabilities and the community closer together. Each family receives a “host” who helps the family by taking care of the child with autism.

Parents with a child with autism receive support and have the opportunity to relax. The child socialises with the host, develops new skills and independence. Homesharing promotes the child’s healthy development and improves the child’s behaviour and well-being.

We share our best practices and experiences with other organizations. The programme can be used to support and care for different communities. We will spread the project and knowledge to other regions in the Czech Republic and a wider range of clients.