Am I odd as an autistic person in not experiencing burnout?

From what I have read, not all autistic people will experience burnout, nor will all experience meltdowns and shutdowns. The term ‘burnout’ isn’t precisely defined and can encompass a wide range of experiences. Over the years, I experienced several periods of ‘just not being able to go on’ and I needed to stay away from work; it felt a bit like hibernation mode. I am much better equipped to manage my daily life now I’m retired. Perhaps it’s because I have more time to focus on my special interest.

I read so many posts about burnouts and shutdowns and it makes me question whether I'm truly autistic. I live a simple life. One to reduce stress to a minimum.  That's because I deteriorate significantly when stressed.

Burnouts, shutdowns and/or meltdowns are not required for an autism diagnosis. The NICE guidelines, which NHS autism services adhere to, and good private autism assessors follow, list the UK requirements but most autists have a differing and wide range of difficulties and challenges and nobody is exactly the same. In the past, there was a lot of stereotyping about autistic people, but now the spectrum embraces all sorts of abilities and disabilities. It sounds like the times of significant deterioration you experience could be burnouts, but if not, it doesn’t make you not autistic.

Burnouts, shutdowns and/or meltdowns are not required for an autism diagnosis. The NICE guidelines, which NHS autism services adhere to, and good private autism assessors follow, list the UK requirements but most autists have a differing and wide range of difficulties and challenges and nobody is exactly the same. In the past, there was a lot of stereotyping about autistic people, but now the spectrum embraces all sorts of abilities and disabilities. It sounds like the times of significant deterioration you experience could be burnouts, but if not, it doesn’t make you not autistic.