Good afternoon from the Shropshire Welsh borders.
I have been asked to comment on my experience of burnout. I learnt later in life that I am autistic with non-verbal learning disability, I am unusual as I managed to work 95% of my adult life, rare in the Neurodivergent population.
This employment record came at a cost. Why you may ask, you were paid for your endeavours. Yes, however stimulus and the energy required to maintain that record meant that I came home frequently burnt out.
I retired last summer and I am busy with my legacy project: Autism Family dynamics. Yet there is no burnout, although do something using my voice, paintbrush or pen on a daily basis. The only reason I can see there is a difference is that I am doing it my way, in a less prescribed way, and sleeping in my own rhythm, not woken by an alarm clock, nor travelling 66 miles a day.
My research backed up my experience: Here are the top 7 causes of burnout for individuals with autism.
1. Sensory Overload: Autistic individuals may experience sensory overload from stimuli such as bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells, leading to exhaustion and burnout.
2. Social Exhaustion: Social interactions can be draining for autistic individuals, as they may struggle with understanding social cues, maintaining eye contact, and engaging in small talk.
3. Masking: Autistic individuals often feel pressure to mask or camouflage their true selves in social situations, leading to mental and emotional exhaustion.
4. Executive Functioning Challenges: Difficulties with executive functioning, such as planning, organization, and time management, can contribute to burnout for autistic individuals.
5. Change and Transition: Sudden changes in routines or environments can be overwhelming for autistic individuals, leading to stress and burnout.
6. Lack of Understanding and Support: Autistic individuals may face stigma, discrimination, and a lack of understanding from others, which can contribute to feelings of isolation and burnout.
7. Employment Challenges: Workplace environments that are not accommodating to the needs of autistic individuals can lead to burnout, as they may struggle with communication, sensory issues, and social interactions.
There are many strategies that I have discovered that helped me. I refer to it as Guidance 5 ways, focusing on life purpose, spiritual values, somatic awareness, embodied communication, and creativity.
I co-founded a group for Neurodiverse employees, and ran it for 2 years. It provided much needed sanctuary, every 8 weeks for employees who had a higher burnout load than their neurotypical peers.
Of course all humans can fall into this outcome, yet for individuals without any filters, more stimulus enters the body.
It’s important to recognise these needs and provide support and accommodations to help prevent burnout in autistic individuals. For more information please reach out to me on my LinkedIn page.
Sue Bayley
