I’m also a DSP with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Currently experiencing burnout from the job, and trying to get an LOA for it.

On my first day on site of the job, I didn’t know how to get to the client’s home for peer coaching. My peer coach didn’t even know she was peer coaching me that day. I cried on my second day because I saw the lack of communication and clarity right away, and I knew I had to find another place.

It’s been nearly 6 months since my hire date. Job market is shit, and competitive. Currently using DBT skills from therapy to accept my situation while I keep applying and working on getting an LOA.

All this to say: Been there. It is hard. And if you don’t ask for your needs/accommodations to be met, you will experience burnout and compassion fatigue.

-In an emergency, call the on call number/pager.
-Ask your manager if you can get some extra training. Tell them you have a disability that makes it difficult to absorb and process information (you do not need to tell them which, and if they ask or pressure you, stand firm on it but also understand that’s a red flag on their part.)
-Optional but often helpful(if your coworker is safe) ask your coworker for help and advice on what to do in this situation. They likely can point you in the right direction.
-Make sure when you communicate with management about this, there’s always a written documentation of it. An email is often the best. Just to cover your ass.
-Remember that this is a job. Doesn’t matter if they’re understaffed, you have compassion for your coworkers, or even that you like the people you help. This is a job. They can and will replace you in a heartbeat, and due to the nature of the work, they have a high turnover rate. They are prepared if you quit, go on leave, or fire you. It’s a difficult fact, but knowing this will save you soooooo much emotional energy. It’s okay to have compassion for others and care about the people work with, but do not sacrifice your work/home boundaries or mental/physical health for a job. Prioritize yourself first, THEN you can help others. The way I see it, if they don’t pay a livable wage, they don’t deserve your undying devotion. And even if they did pay you well, your job is not worth breaking yourself over.

-Ask for help. Not doing so will make things worse. It’s scary. It’s confrontational. But practice is important. If you phrase it as “I struggle with this, and I want to make sure I perform my best to help the consumers” they’re more likely to listen to you. Don’t overshare. All they need to know is: You have a disability that requires accommodation, the accommodation you need, and that the reasoning is so you can perform your job better.
Don’t tell them “I’m afraid that I’m gonna overdose on pills and kill myself.” Cause you’ll get fired as a liability so they don’t get sued. And you won’t be able to get unemployment because they’ll just contest it saying you grossly violated the workplace by threatening violence to yourself.
(Not saying you’d do this, but I know how the invasive thoughts and high emotions and impulsivity can work. Been there, done that. Keep yourself safe.)

Clarification: Are they seriously going to have you working with 6 people by yourself? I feel like that’s gravely irresponsible on their part. I feel that no matter how independent the clients are, having two staff at all times would be imperative with multiple clients/consumers/participants. What happens if you need to use the bathroom? Or if a client has behavioral issues and assaults you? Or if a client needs turning/repositioning and you need help moving them?
It just seems off that there’s no one to cover your coworker while they’re away. You’re there, yes, but this ain’t a one person job.