Exploring Ways to Help People with Autism Deal with Burnout
- amykdtobik2
- Mar 21
- 4 min read
By Karen Kaplan, MS
Everyone becomes overwhelmed at some time. Frequently, we may be over-scheduled in our daily life. Frequently, we may take on too many projects or responsibilities. We may say yes too often. We don’t say no when we may need to. Sometimes, we lack adequate sleep to problem-solve well. Many of us get caught in traffic chaos. We experience a time change and cannot quite figure out why we are off-balanced. We may have too many others pulling us in too many directions, and so we do what?
We take a day off.
We ask for help.
We explore different ways to improve our sleep.
We might explore finding calm in nature.
We might change our jobs.
We find the courage to say NO.
We seek a counselor’s wisdom.
But what about those who live their lives on the spectrum, those whose neurological systems may differ from ours?
It is known that those on the spectrum have greater sensitivity to sounds, sights, and chaos.
It is believed that they have a more significant challenge in organizing.
They are often said to get stuck and find making a needed transition is difficult.
Some are more challenged when asking for help and expressing their needs and wants.
Some have increased anxieties when unexpected actions occur.
So, what can those individuals do to avoid or reduce their burnout?
It is my hope that their parents, teachers, mentors, and coaches have helped them develop strategies to cope with burnout. Hopefully, someone has helped them develop some wellness solutions. Hopefully, someone has helped them learn at least the strategies above.
We need to help them understand that everyone experiences burnout and that it is not a bad thing but needs some attention. Perhaps employers might provide a seminar for their employees on strategies to address burnout. Perhaps our occupational therapists in the schools can teach students to identify those feelings of stress and anxiety and help them develop calming strategies (breathing, yoga, Yoga Therapy for Children with Autism and Special Needs: Goldberg, Louise: 9780393707854: Amazon.com: Books, Asanas for Autism and Special Needs: Hardy, Shawnee Thornton: 9781849059886: Amazon.com: Books engagement in calming music, exercise).
Parents, you can be the best role models. Let your son or daughter know that there are times when you feel burned out and share what helps you recharge—whether it's taking a walk, enjoying some quiet time in your study, watching a favorite movie, or listening to special music.
Everyone needs to learn how to recognize burnout and learn how to problem-solve to address it. It may be learning how to ask for help. It may help them see that they are working too many hours and days of the week and that adjusting working hours or days is okay. It may be that they are taking too many classes at college, and it is okay to decrease the number of courses or take them at different times to allow for sleep-in time to occur.
Perhaps encourage them to see a college counselor for accommodations. College Advice For Students With A 504 Plan - Campus Explorer
Perhaps a support group could be found for them to join, helping them see they are not alone in their feelings and learn how others deal with their own burnout. Find Autism Group Therapy and Support Groups in Sacramento, CA- Psychology Today
Perhaps there are books or articles they might read on burnout The Autistic Burnout Workbook: Your Guide to Your Personal Recovery Plan: Neff, Dr. Megan Anna: 9781507223062: Amazon.com: Books Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask!: Neff, Dr. Megan Anna: 9781507221938: Amazon.com: Books
Perhaps they need to work with someone to identify the right type of college or work environment Amazon.com: Asperger's on the Job: Must-Have Advice for People with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism and their Employers, Educators, and Advocates: 9781935274094: Simone, Rudy, Grandin, Temple: Books they might need.
The greatest gift we give is the knowledge that they are not alone; everyone experiences burnout, and there are ways to reduce it and prevent ongoing burnout.
Karen Kaplan, MS, is a native San Franciscan. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, in speech pathology and audiology. She minored in special education and obtained her speech therapist and special education credentials in California. Karen worked as a speech therapist for schools for 20 years before opening her own residential and education program for students with autism. She worked in credential programs at Sacramento State University as well as UC Davis and spent 20 years directing private schools for those with autism and similar learning challenges.
Karen founded a non-profit, Offerings, which helps cultures globally to understand those with developmental challenges. For seven years, she founded and facilitated an autism lecture series and resource fair in Northern California. Karen still facilitates an annual Autism Awesomeness event. She is currently consulting, helping families, schools, and centers for children, teens, and adults. Karen has authored three books: Reach Me Teach Me: A Public School Program for the Autistic Child; A Handbook for Teachers and Administrators, On the Yellow Brick Road: My Search for Home and Hope for the Child with Autism, and Typewriting to Heaven… and Back: Conversations with My Dad on Death, Afterlife and Living (which is not about autism but about having important conversations with those we love).
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