Participants in the study also highlighted challenges such as poor health, limited capacity for independent living, and low quality of life as possible causes for experiencing autistic burnout. These stressors include an overload in sensory stimuli and the cost of masking as a result of the daily challenges in navigating neurotypical society. Research suggests that life stressors and barriers to, or lack of, support and resources can lead to the condition. There are several contributors to autistic burnout. Why does autistic burnout happen? PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK/BUNDITINAY also highlights other characteristics such as chronic exhaustion, loss of skills, and reduced tolerance to stimulus. “Sometimes my clients just disappear when they are burnt out, while others I haven’t seen in ages request an appointment to recover.”Ī research study by Raymaker, et al. “Autistic burnout can look like extreme fatigue, inability to recover from daily tasks, persistent lethargy, a desire to ‘crawl into a hole’, and sometimes includes the inability to express struggles or ask for help,” said Dr. She shared some exclusive insight into what burnout is and how it affects people with ASD. Rachel Bédard, a licensed psychologist working with people on the autism spectrum, is one example. Some people on the spectrum claim burnout has cost them jobs, friends, activities, independence, mental and physical health, and even pushed them to suicidal behavior.Īutistic burnout is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), meaning some autism experts are reluctant to use the term, but it’s something many clinicians see in their practices regularly.ĭr.

What does autistic burnout look or feel like? PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK/MOTORTIONĪutistic burnout is a term often used by autistic adults to describe a state of incapacitation, exhaustion, and distress in every area of life. While many are able to eventually regain equilibrium from their sensory overload through adaptive measures, others struggle to find the balance, leading to what is commonly known as autistic burnout. Many autistic people mask or camouflage their autistic traits, and do so at the cost to their mental, physical, and psychological wellbeing-making them very susceptible to burnout. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are particularly prone to burnout due to the sensory challenges they experience. Have you ever reached a point of extreme exhaustion that has left you feeling hollow with no desire to move or engage in any form of activity? Burnout can be mistaken for tiredness but, as a general definition, it’s an extreme form of exhaustion that leaves you feeling hopeless and completely shut down. Guest post by Andréas RB Deolinda, BA, BSc.

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