This month's blog article was featured in the November 2025 issue of our digital newsletter, Aspire Wire.
By Kellsey Donovan, MS, CAGS
Associate Manager, Teen and Adult Services
The topic of autistic burnout is a common theme in many of our teen and adult groups at Aspire, particularly as the academic year ramps up. A recurring sentiment shared among participants is the difficulty explaining the experience of burnout to others, especially to the neurotypical individuals in their lives. One definition of burnout is “conceptualized as resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports. It is characterized by pervasive, long-term (typically longer than 3 months) exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus.” Of course, autistic burnout and its subsequent effects can look very different depending on the individual.
There are many factors that can contribute to burnout, such as school or work stressors, societal pressures, or the effects of masking. One of the most challenging aspects contributing to burnout is the impact of the cumulative load of these stressors. But there are also critical barriers to support, which impact the individual’s ability to obtain relief from these symptoms. These barriers might include lack of resources or support, limited self-advocacy skills, as well as dismissal of one’s experiences. Individuals in the autistic community have also discussed a lack of empathy from neurotypical people when they attempt to describe the burnout.
This brings us to an important question – how can you support someone who is experiencing burnout? One consideration is to recognize early symptoms of burnout. It can be helpful for individuals to understand their own patterns and behaviors in order to make strategic decisions and deal with the stress. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, prioritizing healthy eating and sleep habits are also crucial factors to consider. But one of the most important things you can do is to provide a supportive environment that accepts the person in their current state. Validating a person’s current experience and emotions can provide a significant amount of support. However, it can be challenging to strike a balance between reducing expectations and letting them engage in breaks while also encouraging the individual to seek support. Many individuals have discussed how important it is to unmask and engage in autistic behaviors as a way to combat the effects of burnout. Ultimately, while there may be instances where more formal supports are needed, an accepting and validating environment can be extremely beneficial. In many ways, this is the environment we aim to foster in our teen/adult groups at Aspire – a space where group members can share their experiences with others who understand and can offer support.