08/07/2022
What is Autistic Burnout?
An autistic life is not an easy life. There is the potential for great stress and chronic exhaustion from trying to cope with social and sensory experiences, being misunderstood and criticized, high levels of anxiety and, for many reasons, not feeling in touch with or able to be the authentic self. In addition, there may be self-imposed expectations that are greater than coping mechanisms and abilities. Subsequent stress can build up over time that can lead to autistic burnout, which is characterised by increased social withdrawal, a form of ‘hibernation’ and reduced executive functioning, the frontal lobes are “closed” awaiting recovery.
Signs of Autistic Burnout
The concept of an autistic burnout has come from autobiographies, Internet support groups and clinical experience. The provisional criteria for autistic burnout, according to Higgins et al (2021) are:
1. Significant mental and physical exhaustion
2. Interpersonal withdrawal
3. With one or more of the following:
* Significant reduction in social, occupational, educational, academic, behavioural, or other important areas of functioning
* Confusion, difficulties with executive function and/or dissociative states
* Increased intensity of autistic traits and/or reduced capacity to camouflage/mask autistic characteristics
There can be associated features such as:
* Low self-esteem and not knowing what to do to restore mental energy levels
* Confusion as to whether the signs are indicative of a clinical depression
* Loss of self-care skills and ability to regulate emotions
* Persistent difficulties with daily living skills.
When considering whether someone has autistic burnout, it is important to review the similarities and differences between autistic burnout and depression. In comparison to the signs of depression, in autistic burnout, there is increased sensory sensitivity and the need to isolate in order to recover. The current clinical and experiential wisdom is that autistic burnout is a cause of depression and that the depression is likely to reduce if measures are taken to resolve the causes of autistic burnout.
Although autistic burnouts are not covered in our succeeding as an autistic teen or young adult webcast on 22nd July 2022, we aim to equip participants with specific skills and strategies to make the teenage and young adult years a success, with the hope to reduce burnout or depression in teens. The presenters will focus on a range of areas known to be important to autistic young people including the transition into high school, the learning profile and specific strategies to encourage academic and social success, the management of anxiety, stress, anger and depression, friendships, relationships and sexuality, what to do about bullying, and transition into a career.
Live Webcast, 9.30 – 4.00 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST – Brisbane)
https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/.../succeeding-with.../
What You Will Receive:
* Access to the recording for 60 days following the live event
* A Live Chat Room for Q&A with Tony & Michelle throughout the day
* Downloadable Handouts to complement the course
* Certificate of Attendance
This live course counts for 5.5 hours of Continuing Professional Development or Teacher Accreditation hours. (For NSW Teachers: the course may be recorded as an elective PD with NESA).
Does your Child or Adolescent have NDIS Funding?
If you are self-managed or third-party-managed and parent education is in the Plan you can use your NDIS funding to attend this event.
Do You Need a Tax Invoice Receipt for this Event?
Please email us at [email protected] and we will send you one.
** The information in this post is from peer-reviewed research and the perspectives and experiences of many autistic individuals from clinical experience and communications and may not apply to each person.
