Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) that presents in a huge variety of forms, hence the now-preferred term “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD). Genuinely complex, it is often discovered in adulthood, explaining that lifelong feeling of being different without understanding why. Only 5% of autistic people work in mainstream employment, because this disorder demands so much energy that they end up resigning or experiencing autistic burnout, a form of professional exhaustion…
The causes of autistic burnout
Did you know? Today, one employee in three is said to be experiencing workplace burnout, a figure boosted by the Covid-19 crisis. However, a person with ASD is more likely to experience this state of extreme fatigue, both physical and psychological, than others: indeed, beyond the situation at work, they also have to manage their atypical profile – particularly their social vulnerability, which makes them immediately more vulnerable.
Autistic burnout appears when a person with ASD masks their distinctive characteristics: this social masking encourages them to take part in coffee breaks, meals with colleagues, meetings and other small talk. All situations that use up all their energy and exhaust them, from making eye contact, to listening, understanding facial expressions, keeping the right interpersonal distance, and so on.
A person with ASD must also manage their disability, while working in an environment they don’t control for 8 hours a day: noise, lighting and interactions all create significant sensory fatigue. Not to mention other people’s expectations, or a change in life circumstances (moving house, bereavement…), etc.
The consequences of autistic burnout
Beyond physical, mental and social exhaustion, autistic burnout impairs the abilities of the person with ASD, causing them to regress or even lose them altogether. Memory, reasoning and the ability to carry out everyday activities deteriorate. They find it hard to filter out environmental stimuli, whether auditory, visual, olfactory, tactile or taste-related.
All these consequences can lead them to “shut down” or withdraw into themselves. They stop speaking, close their eyes, stop listening and escape from this overly uncomfortable environment. And if that’s not enough, they may cry, scream, or even lash out at those around them, to release poorly managed emotions: this is a “meltdown“, an emotional collapse.
People with ASD who experience autistic burnout suffer from a very negative self-image, feeling out of place in their workplace, or even in society as a whole.
To break this vicious cycle, they need to identify the causes of their distress and aim to find a supportive, encouraging, fulfilling environment again. A complicated process, it requires support from loved ones and guidance from health professionals, such as psychologists or occupational therapists.
Don’t hesitate to turn to the specialists on the Ora-Visio platform, who are well-versed in the challenges facing atypical profiles – whether people with ASD, ADHD, or simply DYS.
