r/directsupport

For context: I started this role about six weeks ago. it is once a week on Fridays for six hours. the rest of the week I work about 25 hours with the same agency and spend another 16 hours in an internship for my graduate school program. at this agency, if you work above 20 hours a week, we receive PTO per hour we work, as well as several paid holidays. if you are scheduled to work (or not) on the actual holiday, the agency adds 8 hours of Holiday PTO to your bank to be used at any other time in the year, all unused holidays of which expire come the new year. these are the benefits. I started this new role, informing the family that I would need one Friday off before I even accepted the position.

the mother is insane. shockingly over-achieving for her two disabled children, incredibly high-standards of care. but I respect it. I know how traumatizing it can be to be the mother of children with high levels of special needs and she has excelled at supporting her children. on my first day with her daughter she complimented me, said she trusted me already, and that she knew would do a good job. she was right and I did spectacularly with her daughter, we clicked right away, and I followed the mother's array of convoluted, borderline-nonsense, knit-picking directions to the absolutely tee without so much as a hesitation.

the Friday off I had planned was approaching. I informed the mother that I put into for PTO for that day designating PTO for my unused Holiday of Labor Day. she called me and said that because I only work one day a week, she was going to have to talk to someone to see if I qualify to use the time off. I agreed, said do what you have to do, knowing the answer already myself. HR was going to tell her that I work 30 hours a week and earn PTO to use. that's what they wound up telling her, I know because I spoke to them myself several times. but today she told me, no, I'm not approving your PTO if you only work for me one day a week. "It's not how I do things." as if the benefits I earn are up to her discretion. they're not. and the holiday time/pto we earn comes directly from the company, not from the budgets of the participants.

so she told me this as we were working together with her children. I wasn't happy, but I ended the conversation professionally without a smile, but with an "I understand." I recovered my mood quickly and continued to work for several more hours, following all directions, smiling, asking questions, and generally being normal. on my way out of the house she stops me: "I'm sensing tension between us, and I'm just letting you know now that I am not going to tolerate this in my house." I was shocked. the day had gone on quite normally and I didn't really say or do anything to warrant this besides mildly pushing back when she told me I don't qualify to use pto. I asked "did I do something wrong?" she told me no and continued to go back and forth with me about the matter, until quite aggressively telling me again "there is tension between us and I will not tolerate it in my house. I don't wan't to let you go, but if you can't get over it you have to let me look for someone else." to that I told her yes, please do look for someone else, I walked out the door and she slammed it behind me.

I cried for an hour. it can be so dehumanizing and exhausting constantly having to advocate for yourself. being treated like you have done something wrong for trying to access the benefits you have worked to earn. that's all. I needed to vent.

….and before you jump all over me….this is actually a genuine question.

Today, one of my residents was just so rude and condescending towards me. I finally told her I wasn’t going to put up with her attitude and she needed to just stop. I’ve had it with her to be honest. Her personality is so hard to deal with. She is never happy and literally gets her way all the time. She refuses to work, refuses to go to day treatment, refuses to volunteer. So, she just sits at home and bullies staff (or tries to). I have never been anything but exceptionally nice to her. I am not a jerk. She just targets people and she does it because she can!

I have an interview tomorrow in an unrelated field. I pray I get the job. If not, I’m dropping her as a client regardless. I’m so depressed after working with her today. It‘s hard to even identify the vibes she gives off. It‘s almost as if the only thing that would make her happy is if I fall to the ground and praise her as the queen she think she is. She is higher functioning and can do better.

I just need to vent. I’m sorry (in advance) if I offend anyone.

I feel like I complain here everyday. But it's ok y'all are my besties.

One thing I don't like about being a DSP is that you have to do things you're not comfortable with.

One of my client's favorite stores that she goes to frequently recently enacted a policy where they take your bags before going into the store. They will not let you enter unless you leave your bag with a random guy they hired.

I usually avoid stores like this. If you don't trust customers enough not to steal, why should I trust a random person not to steal or misplace my belongings? We all the same people. A role or uniform doesn't change morals.

I was pissed but I had to give in. All my client does is look around the same exact store over and over again.

I was trying so hard to emotionally regulate and pretend to be engaged.

My client kinda picked up on my vibe because 30 minutes after looking at shirts in the store she says " do you want to leave because I would be mad if they took my bag." I reassured her that this was her time and we can leave when she's ready. So we stayed in the store an extra hour looking at toys and shirts.

Y'all please pray for me. I'm not even hoping that I get this new job. I'm claiming it.

i’ve been a dsp for the past year and a half and have finally reached my breaking point. i’ve been asked to do things way out of my job description for terrible pay. i took on 7 clients at once because the turnover rate has been so high that people constantly need fill ins

all i wanted to do was help people and it’s felt impossible recently. i’ve finally landed a job as an RBT. pretty solid pay increase (huge for someone living paycheck to paycheck) and the environment is collaborative and consistent. only three more shifts left as a dsp and im out. i couldn’t be more excited

thank you guys for your posts and comments. i came here during a lot of my low moments. i hope all of y’all’s companies are better than mine lmao

Hello like the title says I am new to this job. I'm currently onboarding and waiting for clearances to come back so I haven't officially started yet. But What are some things that you would have found really helpful to know in the beginning or like maybe items that proved useful? Habits? Anything really that made this job the best it can be? I have read a lot and I know it can be difficult but I really want to help people and make a difference. My son is adhd and on the spectrum so I know what its like to need extra support. And if I can come in extra prepared that would be ideal! Thanks so much in advance!

For those who left the DSP field, where did you go next?

I spent about eight years working in an adult day program, progressing from Job Coach Aide to Behavioral Job Coach. I have experience with client support, documentation, transportation, coordinating schedules, and helping train staff.

Now I’m looking at moving outside the field, and honestly, I feel pretty lost. I have a high school diploma and some previous medical call-center experience, but figuring out which jobs my experience transfers to has been frustrating.

For those who left DSP work:

- What job or industry did you move into?

- Did you need school or certifications, or did your experience get you hired?

- How did the pay compare?

- Are you happier with the change?

I’m open to different paths, though jobs involving standing all day are tough for me because of foot and knee issues. Would appreciate hearing what actually worked for people.

I'm in the middle of transitioning into another job and I really hope I get it. I'm extremely bored and I really feel like I am stuck as a dsp. I have to visit the same few places everyday and it gets boring. We're at the point where all the client wants to do is go on her phone most of the time.

When I do goals with them they catch a attitude.

My client has grew tremendously in the two years we spent together.

There are rewarding moments but I'm just completely burnt out.

Should I tell my supervisor I'm planning to leave or should I just put my two weeks in when it's official?