Autistic burnout is not a medical term that you might find in the DSM-5. Rather, it is a phrase coined by those with lived experience to describe particular phenomena that many autistic people encounter while attempting to interact in a world that is often non-affirming (Raymaker et al., 2020).

A few months ago, a blogger asked on ways that autistic people manage autistic burnout. While I haven’t heard the term until a few years ago. It is what is experienced from time to time. I recognize the need to tackle it. This need arises when the world is just too overwhelming. The signs are obvious.

Some of the signs are

1. Chronic Exhaustion: A profound feeling of fatigue that persists even after rest. Daily activities may seem overwhelming, leading to a lack of interest in previously enjoyed tasks .
2. Loss of Executive Functioning: Difficulty in planning, organizing, and making decisions. Tasks that were manageable before may feel insurmountable during burnout .
3. Increased Sensory Sensitivity: Heightened sensitivity to sensory inputs such as lights, sounds, or textures. This can lead to sensory overload and discomfort.
4. Emotional Dysregulation: Struggles with managing emotions, leading to increased irritability, mood swings, and difficulty expressing feelings appropriately. This can also result in more frequent meltdowns or shutdowns .
5. Physical Symptoms: Signs can include headaches, muscle pain, sleep issues, and gastrointestinal problems. These symptoms contribute to the overall sense of distress.
6. Social Withdrawal: Avoidance of social interactions can feel exhausting and overwhelming. This can lead to isolation and difficulty in maintaining relationships..
7. Cognitive Difficulties: Trouble processing information. There are memory lapses, and so-called “brain fog.” It becomes challenging to focus or communicate effectively.
8. Regressive Behaviors: A noticeable decline in skills that were previously well-managed. These include reduced speech abilities or diminished self-care practices.

I noticed some of these behaviors. Extensive sleep indicated that I needed to take extra care of myself. Practicing self-care within myself is something I struggle to do. I feel guilty about it. Then I know that I can’t be my best self when I am not in my best frame of mind. So it is best to take the steps to practice self-care.

What helps me is what relates to the half-and-half theory. I spend half of the time I dedicate to self-care resting. The other half is for info dumping, doing things I need to do, or activities I enjoy. Through this method, I am well-rested when returning to my normal routine. I am ready to embark on the world that is not made for me.

I have explained that it takes a lot for autistic people to navigate a world that is often not neuro-affirming. It can be just as hard when our experiences are not taken as valid experiences. It is not someone else’s life to live. While it can be hard to explain, others can tell that we are not ourselves. We care for ourselves. When someone, especially an autistic person, says something is too much for them, believe them. It is their world to experience.

The world has a lot to experience. Sometimes it is alot for autistic people. Sometimes it can be because there are too many things to do in the course of a week. It might even be several weeks where the alignment of the world feels off-center. You will know when something is not right with you as an autistic person. It is best to make yourself a priority always. It is not for someone to judge what someone is feeling at a given moment. You know your body best.

I have begun to realize that there are times when my autistic mind has too much. I am getting better at taking the time that I need to care for myself. It is a difficult decision to make at first, but once it is made, relief is had. A part of me wishes it were easier to decide when I need to practice self-care to tackle autistic burnout.