Useful resources/webinars etc on burnout, extreme withdrawal and hygiene issues in adults?

Anyone know of any good resources on these subjects?  I.e. not descriptive stuff but info on how to help from the outside in the role of parent/carer to young adults?  Getting desperate here but reluctant to involve services because they tend not to be very autism friendly or aware.   

Parents
  • We're still struggling with all of this.  :(  How on earth can parents help or support an adult son or daughter who is in a state of almost total withdrawal and how can they get help or support for themselves when the situation has become chronic, (however it's termed (fatigue/burnout/shutdown/catatonia)?

    On the one hand there are first person accounts of burnout and recovery that seem to focus on a more episodic kind of burnout which eventually fades if the person is given rest, few demands, empathic understanding etc.  And there are third person accounts that are more medicalised and refer to "catatonia" but which seem to be describing many of the same experiences (I'm thinking of Amitta Shah's book) and enlisting the help of services (where are these?). 

    But what is there for families where the person themselves is too withdrawn to seek help or engage to any degree and services have also withdrawn, on the basis that the person themselves is making an autonomous decision to refuse help and they'll step in when the person is ready (they're not showing any signs of this and it's been YEARS!).  Where can families turn or do we just have to live with this indefinitely with no support?  

    Is there anyone we can consult about this?  Most help seems to be geared towards younger children, not adults still living in the family home, but our youngest age of diagnosis is 26 (i.e. beyond the age where many services seem to just halt).       

Reply
  • We're still struggling with all of this.  :(  How on earth can parents help or support an adult son or daughter who is in a state of almost total withdrawal and how can they get help or support for themselves when the situation has become chronic, (however it's termed (fatigue/burnout/shutdown/catatonia)?

    On the one hand there are first person accounts of burnout and recovery that seem to focus on a more episodic kind of burnout which eventually fades if the person is given rest, few demands, empathic understanding etc.  And there are third person accounts that are more medicalised and refer to "catatonia" but which seem to be describing many of the same experiences (I'm thinking of Amitta Shah's book) and enlisting the help of services (where are these?). 

    But what is there for families where the person themselves is too withdrawn to seek help or engage to any degree and services have also withdrawn, on the basis that the person themselves is making an autonomous decision to refuse help and they'll step in when the person is ready (they're not showing any signs of this and it's been YEARS!).  Where can families turn or do we just have to live with this indefinitely with no support?  

    Is there anyone we can consult about this?  Most help seems to be geared towards younger children, not adults still living in the family home, but our youngest age of diagnosis is 26 (i.e. beyond the age where many services seem to just halt).       

Children
  • Hi Jenny. I have just joined this community today and was very interested to read about your struggles regarding burnout with your son. My son is 17 and is very stuck currently in an autism burnout following a breakdown and loss of community support a couple of years ago. He has since become very stuck in completing his daily routines needing them to be done with a certain person - not always available who he has become dependent on since the support loss. He doesn't engage with anyone currently apart from myself which is mainly on his terms. Current professionals involved don't understand at all and just blame my parenting.

    You are the first person I have come across who seems to be experiencing a very similar situation. If there is anything you can advise or direct me to I would be most grateful!