These caregivers can include a variety of people. Most teams include medical providers like primary care doctors and specialist doctors. Other members might be counselors, baby-sitters, grandparents, friends, and neighbors. While parents look for caregivers that are highly skilled and accessible, they also search for someone with whom they feel the greatest level of comfortable communication. They look for caregivers they can ask any question and to whom they can communicate their needs without embarrassment.
Families seek providers that are comfortable learning as well as teaching.
They look for providers with whom they can form partnerships. With so many different knowledge bases and sometimes priorities, members of the team may raise conflicting concerns and recommendations. The family then learns how to weigh all the information to finally choose what works best for them. One strategy that has worked for many families includes teaming up with other local families. Aside from the benefits of sharing support, these partnerships can help identify areas of concern, encouraging additional resources and expertise within the community.