Full-Time Caregiver Needed – Gentle, Supportive Role for Adult with Autism (Level 3) – Atlanta, GA
Hi, I’m looking for a steady, emotionally attuned full-time caregiver—not for a parent or someone else, but for me personally. I’m an adult with profound support needs, and I’m seeking someone who can help me live safely and meaningfully in the community.
This isn’t a clinical or task-only job. What I need is a steady presence: someone kind, patient, emotionally grounded, and truly invested in helping another human feel safe, engaged, and connected. I need someone who will prompt me gently, guide me supportively, and help keep me regulated—especially during times of overwhelm.
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A little about me:
I’m intellectually gifted and highly articulate, but I’m also diagnosed with Autism Level 3, which means my support needs are significant. People often misunderstand what Level 3 really means—it’s not about intelligence. It’s about the severity of my shutdowns, emotional dysregulation, trauma responses, and my difficulty handling daily life without close support.
In many ways, I function emotionally and practically more like a child. I need to be guided and spoken to with gentleness and encouragement—not because I’m immature, but because life has been hard, and I missed key developmental supports. My autism, trauma, and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) make adult responsibilities confusing and overwhelming.
Even on good days, I need prompting for daily living tasks like eating, showering, brushing my teeth, and going to bed. When I crash or shut down, I often need full hands-on help with all basic care.
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What a shutdown looks like:
Shutdowns are intense. I might go nonverbal, freeze, dissociate, or become completely immobilized. These episodes can last for hours—or days. I wear diapers 24/7 due to incontinence, and during shutdowns I may need help changing or reminders to do so.
Sometimes I wander when disoriented, including walking into traffic or becoming lost. A big part of this role is helping prevent shutdowns by noticing stress early, helping me slow down, and guiding me to a calm space when needed.
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Emotional regulation:
Because of PDA and past trauma, I can sometimes get loud or seem intense during emotional outbursts. I’m a big guy, and I know it can feel intimidating—but I’ve never hurt anyone. My outbursts aren’t aggression; they’re nervous system collapses. I need someone who can stay calm, grounded, and present with me until it passes.
Tone matters. For example, “Go take a shower” might trigger panic, while “Would you like to shower now or after lunch?” gives me agency and calms my system. I need someone who gets that—or is open to learning.
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This is not a shut-in job:
I’ve spent too much time stuck in bed. I’m ready to get out and rejoin life—but I need help doing that. I’m looking for someone who can encourage gentle outings and shared moments that make life feel real again.
This includes:
Going out to eat or grabbing coffee
Visiting nature trails, museums, bookstores, or shops
Helping me feel engaged and connected during outings (not just walking silently beside me)
For example, at a museum, instead of walking quietly, I’d love a caregiver to say, “Wanna check out the dinosaurs or the planets next?” or “This fish looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie!” Without those prompts, I tend to drift off or shut down.
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Also important:
I need help visiting my daughter, who lives in the North Georgia mountains. I love her dearly, but I struggle with socializing—even with family. Your presence helps me stay grounded and emotionally connected when I otherwise might shut down.
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Core responsibilities include:
Daily Living Support
Gentle prompting and help with hygiene, dressing, and toileting (including diaper changes if needed)
Medication support (reminders, organization, pickups)
Encouraging meals and regular eating
Bedtime routine and emotional wind-down
Household & Organization
Light cleaning: dishes, laundry, vacuuming, organizing
Grocery shopping and errands
Shared calendar/reminders
Help with paperwork and appointments
Emotional & Crisis Support
Staying calm during shutdowns or meltdowns
Co-regulating through presence, praise, and choices
Helping avoid emotional collapse or wandering
Recognizing early signs of overwhelm
Community & Social Integration
Attending appointments and outings with me
Gentle social prompting (e.g., “Want to say hi or just wave?”)
Helping me stay engaged in public settings
Supporting family visits and appropriate social interaction
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Ideal caregiver:
Calm, emotionally stable, and nurturing
Speaks with kindness, choices, and positive reinforcement
Familiar with autism, trauma, and PDA—or willing to learn
Comfortable with personal care but also invested in connection
Neurotypical or socially skilled enough to help me navigate the world
Has boundaries but is warm, steady, and consistent
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Requirements:
Must drive (I have a car, but driving is dysregulating for me)
Comfortable with occasional on-call availability
Background check and references required
Bonus if caregiving is something you feel called to, not just a paycheck
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Compensation & Logistics:
Location: Atlanta, GA (housing not yet finalized—you’ll help with this)
Hours: Full-time; we can build a small backup team over time
Pay: Private pay + Medicaid waiver (if eligible); negotiable based on experience
Live-in may be an option in the future, once trust is built
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If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could just be there for someone who really needs it and make a real difference in their life,”—this might be the right fit.
If you’re interested, please reach out and include:
A bit about yourself and your caregiving background
Where you’re located in or near Atlanta
What kind of schedule you’re looking for
Your ideal pay range
Thank you so much for reading this.