Source ~ FB Lived Experience Educator
[Image ID: Ten images from Lived Experience Educator. Each are black with a rainbow squiggle running from the upper right corner down to the lower left corner in the background. White text boxes with black lettering.
Image 1: Autistic & ADHD burnout guide
including tips on supporting someone during burnout
Image 2: signs of autistic/adhd burnout
heightened sensory sensitivity
difficulty maintaining daily living skills like cooking, eating, hygiene
loss of spoken communication
changes are harder than usual
loss of interest in same foods
Image 3: signs of autistic/adhd burnout
difficulty focusing more than usual
quicker to experience meltdowns
either feeling overwhelmed or underwhelmed
difficulty communicating with others
decisions are much harder
Image 4: causes of autistic/adhd burnout
sudden and lots of changes
barriers to support/lack of resources
increased demands and expectations
Image 5: coping with autistic/adhd burnout
advocate for accommodations
reduce demands and expectations engage with your special interests stock up on your safe/same foods binge watch your same shows
use alternative communication
Image 6: coping with autistic/adhd burnout
attend to your sensory needs like creating a sensory safe space, reducing sensory input or increasing sensory input
ask for help and support at home
spend time with people who recharge you
take a break from social interactions
Image 7: reminders for autistic/adhd burnout
you are not a bad friend or partner if you need to withdraw and cancel plans.
there is nothing wrong with eating your same foods over and over again.
you're not lazy, demanding or too much if you need extra support during burnout
there is no time line on recovering from Autistic burnout, everyone needs a different amount of time to recover.
Image 8: It isn't the sole responsibility of Autistic and ADHD individuals to recover from burnout.
If burnout isn't caused by us but by our environment and society not accommodating our differences and needs, the responsibility of recovery shouldn't be on us alone either.
Image 9: supporting someone beforehand
create a burnout recovery plan together with tips on supporting us
learn to recognise our signs of burnout and offer support before we reach our limit
give us the space to recharge after coming home from work, school or other demands
support our special interests as they're a major part of our well-being; get involved, ask us questions or participate with our special interests too.
Image 10: supporting someone during
help us with our basic needs like food & hydration even if it's just reminders
make our environment more sensory friendly like reducing lighting
recognise that we may need alone time without from demands or expectations
don't ask too many questions, stick to yes/no questions
provide alternative forms of communications
