Finding the right kind of help at home for adults with autism or I/DD isn’t always easy. For years, the go-to solution was hiring someone to come in and help with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, or shopping. But that model often creates more stress than support.
Here’s why the old way isn’t working — and what a better approach can look like.
The caregiver shortage affects everyone
There simply aren’t enough direct support professionals to go around. Across the country, there’s a growing shortage of support staff, and the pressure on the system is being felt by everyone involved.
Many Direct Support Professionals are doing their best under tough circumstances. They’re often working long hours, juggling multiple clients, and picking up extra shifts to make ends meet. The work is demanding, emotionally and physically, and burnout is common.
For those who rely on this type of support, the shortage can make daily life unpredictable. It’s not unusual for a scheduled visit to be delayed, rescheduled, or missed entirely because no one was available. In other cases, turnover is high, making it hard to build a consistent routine with someone you trust.
When support drops out, parents or siblings often have to cancel their own plans to fill the gap. Over time, that takes a toll on work, health, and family life.
And in some cases, it means adults who were starting to build independence end up moving back to live with family, not because they need more help, but because their support network fell apart.
Real support means doing with, not doing for
A lot of traditional caregiving focuses on doing things for the individual. But that can limit that person’s independence and confidence.
Every individual should have the chance to build their own routines, skills, and confidence. That means support should focus on doing things with you, not for you.
Take shopping and cooking, for example. When someone receives in-person support, it’s often faster and easier for staff to do the groceries and prepare the meals themselves. But if that happens every day, the person receiving support never gets the chance to try it themselves. They miss out on learning how to plan meals, follow recipes, and navigate the store — skills that are essential for independent living.
The same goes for managing a schedule, keeping the house clean, or remembering medications. These are things that many people can learn to do themselves with the right structure and tools. But when every task is done for them, they stay dependent on support that could otherwise be scaled back.
The shift from done-for-you to done-with-you doesn’t mean “figure it out on your own.” It means working side by side, learning new ways to solve everyday problems, and gaining the confidence to do more, little by little.
Learning means taking risks
Everyone learns through trial and error. But when someone has a disability, it’s easy for others to step in too quickly, trying to prevent possible mistakes.
That’s where the idea of dignity of risk comes in.
Adults with autism should have the chance to make decisions, try new things, and learn from experience, just like anyone else. That doesn’t mean doing everything alone, and it doesn’t mean taking big risks without support; it means having the freedom to try, while knowing someone’s there when needed.
For example, learning to cook could mean getting help with meal planning, assistive tools like visual recipes, reminders and timers, or even a smart stove that turns off automatically if it senses danger.
The same applies to things like planning a day out, managing a budget, or spending free time alone. Someone in the support circle could help talk through options, there are great apps out there to help track spending, or remote support could monitor activity and take steps if something seems off. All of that can happen without anyone needing to be there in person — giving the individual space to try things on their own, while still having backup when it counts.
With the right mix of tools and people, taking risks doesn’t mean compromising on safety. However, it creates opportunities to make choices, solve problems, and grow — with a safety net in place.
A better model: flexible and person-centred
For many adults with autism or I/DD, the traditional home care aide model includes more support than they actually need – and not necessarily the right type of support either. So instead of struggling to find and keep suitable direct support, this can be an opportunity to explore new options that may be a better fit.
More and more individuals are turning to independent living solutions like Smart Living: a modern setup that combines assistive technology, remote support, and personalized coaching to create more flexibility, more control, and more room for independence.
In many cases, this approach is not only more efficient and respectful of the person’s space, but also more budget-friendly than relying on in-person staff for basic monitoring. For example, someone might not need overnight support in the room, but instead benefit from technology that alerts staff if help is needed during the night.
Looking for a better support setup?
Whether you’re exploring independent living, trying to fill gaps in care, or just looking for more flexible options, we’re here to help. Book a call with our team to learn how we can tailor the right mix of support (remote, in-person, technology, drop-in, or all of the above) to fit your needs and goals.
