Teen always exhausted

Hi Skate
Welcome to the Online Community. It’s understandable to feel worried your teenager is so exhausted, especially alongside all the uncertainty. 

What you describe sounds like autistic fatigue and burnout. There’s some guidance on this here: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/mental-health/autistic-fatigue/autistic-adults

You might also find our Know Yourself series helpful for your teenager. It’s a set of free videos and downloadable guides aimed at supporting autistic teenagers to understand what being autistic means: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/resources-for-autistic-teenagers

You’re not alone, many people here are autistic parents also and will recognise what you’re describing.

Kind regards

Thank you for replying. 

We know it is probably burnout and there are good days and bad days. 

Currently struggling to get them to leave the house, even for a five minute walk. It's clear to me that staying in their room and "resting" are not working to reduce the tiredness, their nervous system needs more than just hiding away. But even though they might agree on one level, they still won't leave the house. I feel like a rubbish parent for not being able to help them. 

I will try to get her to look at the resource you sent. 

Thank you for replying. 

We know it is probably burnout and there are good days and bad days. 

Currently struggling to get them to leave the house, even for a five minute walk. It's clear to me that staying in their room and "resting" are not working to reduce the tiredness, their nervous system needs more than just hiding away. But even though they might agree on one level, they still won't leave the house. I feel like a rubbish parent for not being able to help them. 

I will try to get her to look at the resource you sent. 

Thank you, that is reassuring to hear. 

It can just take time. My daughter dropped out of 6th form college, it took her about a year of doing nothing much at all. Then she applied to do fine art at a local college, got into Cambridge Art School and ended up with a first class degree (albeit her degree was in audio technology rather than fine art, as she transferred between courses). It feels like staying on the school treadmill of GCSEs and A-levels is the be all and end all, but it is not.