What we're hearing
You have reached a point where getting through the next stretch feels uncertain.
You may have been hiding how serious it feels
Other people may see you completing tasks while missing how close you feel to having nothing left.
The next need keeps arriving
Even after a hard moment ends, meals, work, messages, appointments, and tomorrow still expect something from you.
Immediate human support is available
Call or text 988 now if you may harm yourself, cannot stay safe, or need immediate crisis support—any hour.
Reaching this point is a signal to get real support — not a failure.
Pick one thing for today
One. Not a list.
Your path forward
What to bring up
Use direct language. “I am at my limit” communicates more than “I am stressed.” You do not need a polished explanation, a timeline, or proof that the week has been hard enough.
Say whether you need immediate crisis support, a mental-health referral, or a concrete reduction in what the home program expects this week. Those are different needs, and naming the one in front of you helps another person respond now.
What kind of help to ask for
Ask for a therapist referral that specifically includes caregiver strain, and ask for the actual contact information rather than a general suggestion to seek counseling.
Ask what can be removed, paused, or reassigned this week. The request is not for encouragement; it is for one concrete change that lowers what must come from you before the next session.
What usually changes, and how fast
Crisis support through 988 is available now. A trusted person can check on you today. A clinic may be able to clarify immediate expectations quickly, while referrals and longer-term service changes may take more time.
For today, success is not solving the whole situation. It is making sure one real person knows how serious this is and that you are not carrying the next hours unseen.
Where to go next on this site
Open the Mental Health Toolbox for immediate parent-centered support after you have connected with a real person.
Open Find Local Help when you are ready to look for ongoing counseling or community support outside the ABA program.
Questions for the provider you are evaluating
Pick two. Five questions asked is none asked.
Take it with you
Type into it on your phone or computer and save it there, or print it. It stays on your device — this site never sees it.