What is Autistic Burnout?
Autistic burnout, also known as Autism burnout, is a period of extreme fatigue and complex symptoms that many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder experience at some point. The intense physical and mental exhaustion related to Autistic burnout can affect the person’s mental health and executive functioning skills. Autistic individuals with strong language abilities and cognitive skills may also face difficulties carrying out basic activities.
Due to the lack of resources and accommodations, many people on the spectrum are pushed to perform social camouflage and constantly hide their Autistic traits. Shared lived experiences from the Autistic community show that the stress of adapting to a world built for neurotypical people can lead to burnout. People experiencing Autistic burnout may struggle with sensory overload, chronic fatigue, and even substance abuse or self-harm.
Many Autistic people experience their first burnout episode in their teenage years, during their transition from school to work, or as a result of other significant life changes. The most severe signs of Autistic burnout might make it hard for the individual to live independently without professional support. When they last over a more extended period of time, symptoms like intense exhaustion and reduced tolerance to sensory stimuli can negatively impact the person’s social interactions, education, and employment.
Autistic Burnout Symptoms
Autistic burnout impacts a person’s mental, cognitive, and physical resources. It can interfere with the individual’s ability to manage everyday activities. Below are common signs and symptoms of Autistic burnout:
- Executive functioning challenges and difficulty making decisions
- Impaired self-knowledge and emotional regulation
- Speech and communication challenges
- Social fatigue
- Difficulty with eye contact
- Selective mutism
- Frequent shutdowns and meltdowns
- Memory loss and cognitive challenges
- Depression and anxiety
Autism and Stress
Autistic people experience extraordinary stress and anxiety levels in tricky social situations and overstimulating environments. Furthermore, individuals on the spectrum face the pressure of feeling misunderstood or standing out among neurotypical people. The stress of constant social camouflaging and trying to fit in can lead to Autistic burnout.
Autism Fatigue
While everyone occasionally experiences fatigue, Autistic people are particularly affected by burnout. People on the spectrum can go through fatigue after a long period of doing more than they can cope with. The built-up emotions and overworking of the body’s resources may result in extreme exhaustion.
Autism and Overwhelming Emotions
Many individuals on the spectrum have an extraordinary ability to understand other people’s emotions significantly. In the Autistic community, this phenomenon is known as hyper-empathy. Individuals with Autism can feel the intense emotions of people in their surroundings, even if the other person stays seemingly calm. The inability to decipher the nature of the emotional atmosphere and react to others’ emotions can cause emotional overload in Autistic people.
Autism Meltdown
Autism meltdowns are characterised by two typical forms of reactions, explosive behaviour or social withdrawal. Explosive reactions usually include shouting, screaming, crying, and aggression towards oneself or others. Social withdrawal involves not being able to communicate and the tendency to isolate oneself.
Autism and Mood Swings
Some behaviours of Autistic people include frequent mood swings. For instance, individuals on the spectrum can shift from being happy, excited, and hyperactive to feeling irritable, pacing, and acting aggressively in a short time span. In these cases, an expert should examine the person’s symptoms and acknowledge the cycle of changing moods to assess for any triggers.
Autism Outbursts
Autistic children and adults can easily get overstimulated by sensory input, such as loud noises, strong smells, bright lights, and certain textures. Sensory overload causes significant physical discomfort in Autistic people, which can lead to behaviours that challenge.
Causes of Autistic Burnout
The effort required to mask Autistic features in stressful situations makes people on the spectrum more vulnerable to episodes of burnout than their neurotypical peers. Without adequate accommodation and internal resources, Autistic individuals are more susceptible to chronic exhaustion and various mental health challenges.
Common factors that may lead to Autistic burnout include the following:
- Unrealistic external expectations imposed by parents, educators, employers, and society in general
- Performing neurotypical behaviour for a long period of time and suppressing Autistic features such as special interests, stimming, and repetitive behaviours (e.g. hand flapping or rocking back and forth)
- Dismissal of the Autistic person’s complex sensory needs and gaslighting
- Inability to set firm boundaries, ask for help, and take breaks
- Drastic life changes, such as transitioning from school to work, mental health crises, or the death of a loved one
- An intense feeling of stress that does not go away after short breaks
How do Autistic People Recover from Burnout?
Practising self-care and taking a gentle approach towards oneself are the first steps towards recovery after a period of extreme fatigue related to Autistic burnout. When an Autistic person is facing burnout, it is important for them to establish healthy boundaries and opt out of possibly overwhelming activities. Replace all unnecessary chores in your schedule with soothing hobbies and activities that bring you a sense of relaxation. Autistic people experiencing burnout can benefit from listening to music, reading, drawing, journaling, and spending time in nature.
Since increased sensory sensitivities are one of the main symptoms of Autistic burnout, recovery usually includes coping mechanisms against sensory overstimulation. For instance, you can use noise-cancelling headphones or fidget toys designed for your sensory needs. Furthermore, in order to cope with sleep disturbances related to Autistic burnout, it is recommendable to read a book or watch movies instead of scrolling through social media before going to sleep.
How to Prevent Autistic Burnout?
Self-advocacy is a crucial part of preventing Autistic burnout. People on the Autism spectrum should set clear boundaries, and their neurotypical peers should familiarise themselves with the indications of Autistic burnout. You can prevent emotional overload by avoiding stressful social situations and taking frequent breaks. In addition to that, don’t hesitate to ask your relatives or friends for help whenever you need it.
The majority of Autistic adults face immense pressure to prove their qualities and excel in a society that tends to overlook their specific needs. You should reach out to supportive peers and licensed experts for any accommodations you need. People on the Autism spectrum are entitled to suitable adjustments at school and in the workplace that would reduce the possibility of burnout.
Treatment for Autistic Burnout
While there is no fixed treatment, accommodations are crucial for helping Autistic with burnout. First of all, possible triggers (such as intense perfumes, bright lights, and loud noises) should be removed from the person’s environment. During a period of burnout, Autistic people can benefit from constriction clothing, weighted blankets, and noise blockers.
Every Autistic person has specific needs, which is why figuring out what you need is the first step towards receiving proactive accommodation and support. Apart from experts and family members, it is also teachers’ and employers’ responsibility to create a comfortable environment where Autistic people struggling with burnout can heal and regain their energy levels.
How to Support Someone Who Is In Autistic Burnout?
Support from loved ones is crucial for individuals with Autistic burnout. Here are some ways to help a family member or friend on the spectrum during burnout:
- Approach them with empathy, patience, and understanding
- Be aware that their resources are depleted by burnout, and give them as much space as possible to rest and recharge
- Allow them to spend time alone whenever necessary
- Believe the person when they express difficulty coping with some activities, even if they were previously able to partake in them
- Use the individual’s preferred form of communication (some individuals on the spectrum may find speech challenging and prefer typing or texting instead)
Unique Community Services Support Individuals with Autism
Unique Community Services offers proactive home care services for people on the Autism spectrum experiencing burnout symptoms. Our impact-driven clinicians strive to dismantle the social stigma surrounding Autism and provide humanised, tailored assistance to Autistic people. With a dedicated clinician by their side, people can overcome challenges and regain their executive functioning skills.
Our team delivers person-centred care services for Autistic people struggling with burnout in their own homes, allowing them to stay close to their loved ones. We work closely with medical specialists and family members to assess every person’s health and individual preferences. Also, we outline a personalised care plan that prioritises the individual’s privacy, dignity, and personal boundaries.
Our trained home care workers deliver CQC-regulated support to Autistic adults and children across the UK, with offices in Bristol and Manchester.
Contact us now, and we will create a tailored care plan according to your specific requirements.
