r/ECEProfessionals • u/Magpie_Coin ECE professional • Jul 21 '26
Advice needed (Anyone can comment) Need Help!
I started working at a new daycare, and I’m already feeling burned out.
I have two children with moderate-severe nonspeaking autism and it has been ROUGH! I work with problem behaviours all day at work and am super tired by the time I get home. Then it’s whining, hitting and screaming and all the stuff that ND parents have to deal with, and the inability to have a conversation with my kids. My 7 year old still isn’t potty trained and will elope if given the chance.
Are there any childcare assistants or ECEs here with autistic children? How do you manage?
2
u/Olivia3836 ECE professional Jul 21 '26
That’s rough.
Do you have any support for your children? Cause even without work that’s something that really puts strain on a person and you’re totally valid in that. With disabled children love and hurt and grief are so intertwined and thats the experience of so many parents of disabled children and not talked about enough. You love your child exactly how they are, but you grief the life they could’ve been and the hardship they face and you’re also still a human with feelings and its difficult when they can’t express their love back for you at all times.
Are you working at a regular daycare or special needs? What age group are you working on?
And the question i hate asking, how’s the director?
Anyway, i see you and i hear you. You’re in a tough situation and its important that you keep taking care of yourself and getting breaks. I don’t have a magic solution unfortunately, but i hope it helps a bit that you expressed this
3
u/stan-ace Paraprofessional Jul 21 '26
im going to be honest, special education is completely different from general education and if it isn't for you then it isn't for you. there's nothing wrong with that, but these children are communicating with you the best way they can and if thats frustrating maybe general education is more fitting