Parents of special needs children given a break by URI program

KINGSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — A free program from the University of Rhode Island (URI) helps the parents of special needs children find time to get things done.

The program runs four hours a week on Saturdays, when URI College of Nursing Professor Christine McGrane and her team take care of children with mild to severe special needs.

The program takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on the Kingston campus of URI, with activities ranging from playing with toys and sports equipment to just watching a movie.

McGrane devised the program from her nursing Ph.D. dissertation, which dealt with the effects of respite on parents of children with special needs.

During pre-and post-program stress surveys, a large drop in stress levels was conveyed by parents.

“There’s a full range of special needs. Some are ambulatory, some not; some are verbal, some non-communicative,” McGrane said. “We provide direct care in a group setting, and families get some respite to step away and do whatever it is they feel they need to do to take care of themselves.”