Autistic Burnout
Chronic exhaustion and skill loss from prolonged masking and navigating neurotypical spaces. Validated by research, distinct from depression.
AutismEmotional RegulationIdentity
Layer 2: Validated
Clinical Recognition
Validated by Dora Raymaker's research, distinguished from occupational burnout and depression. Increasingly recognised by autism specialists.
Community Validation
High recognition in autistic communities. Widely discussed as distinct crisis state requiring different recovery than standard burnout.
Published
17 December 2025 by Team Heumans
Autistic Burnout is a state of profound exhaustion where you lose skills you previously had. Not just tired—can't speak when you normally can. Can't make food. Can't tolerate light or sound that was manageable last week. Your capacity has regressed.
It's the cumulative cost of years spent masking, translating, and bracing yourself against a world not built for your nervous system. The body keeps the score, and eventually it shuts down to protect itself.