Autistic burnout article

Thanks for posting. I only recently came across this document myself and it is one of the best explanations of autistic burnout I have found. I agree we all should share this as widely as we can, to try and get some recognition and understanding out there.

Far too often autistic people in burnout are misdiagnosed with depression / anxiety and given inappropriate medications or talking therapies, which only serve to make things worse. Autistic children in burnout are pressured into attending school, which is usually the cause of the problem in the first place.

I fear in this fast moving forum this post will soon be forgotten. I hope in the new forum there will be a way to sticky essential reading such as this at the top.

I have tried to search online to find out what was the outcome of the Parliamentary Committee where this document was presented as evidence. I have not managed to find anything. Does anyone know any more?

So this is how our government responds to the desperate need for autistic burnout to be understood, recognised and supported appropriately (notice the use of person first language and quite frankly the patronising tone).

Dear Ms Dawes

Thank you for your email, which I read with interest. I hope that you are well.

As you will, I am sure, be aware, the Government’s current Autism Strategy is in place and will run from 2021 to 2026. It is being implemented to help to improve the lives of children and adults with autism; this strategy aims to: tackle the barriers autistic people face so they can live independent and fulfilling lives; ensure faster diagnosis and better access to health and social care for autistic people of all ages; and support better education tailored to the needs of autistic children and young people.

This strategy was backed by £75 million in its first year alone, £40 million of which is through the NHS Long Term Plan to improve capacity in crisis services and support children with complex needs in inpatient care.

All this will, I hope, better support people with autism and help them avoid burnout.”

Don’t worry folks. Crisis averted! The autism strategy will make everything better and we will all live in a yellow submarine with the bunny rabbits and butterflies. 

#itsnotoktonotbeok

Sadly, that is the type of response you receive from the Government on any issue, no matter which party is in power. "Thank you for wasting your time in writing to us. It is all under control. Quote big number of the amount of money being spent, with no context as to whether it is enough. We trust you won't bother us again". Really looking forward to the bunny rabbits and butterflies 

Sounds like you have every reason to be angry, and maybe it is healthy to let that emotion out of the bag every now and again (so long as it is not directed at me!).

It seems like a lot of health professionals rely on checklists for diagnoses, filtered through the same sort of stereotypes that the general population hold. A simple example, and nowhere near as serious as yours, was when I broke my wrist many years ago. The GP said it could not be broken because I could move my fingers normally, despite me telling them I could do the same the previous two times I had broken my wrists. Three weeks later I had to beg them to send me for an x-ray, and the technician who took it could not believe I had been wandering around with it in that state for so long. And no doubt that GP still takes the same approach to their diagnoses.

Your brother is lucky to have you, but make sure you look after yourself as well.

Sounds like you have every reason to be angry, and maybe it is healthy to let that emotion out of the bag every now and again (so long as it is not directed at me!).

It seems like a lot of health professionals rely on checklists for diagnoses, filtered through the same sort of stereotypes that the general population hold. A simple example, and nowhere near as serious as yours, was when I broke my wrist many years ago. The GP said it could not be broken because I could move my fingers normally, despite me telling them I could do the same the previous two times I had broken my wrists. Three weeks later I had to beg them to send me for an x-ray, and the technician who took it could not believe I had been wandering around with it in that state for so long. And no doubt that GP still takes the same approach to their diagnoses.

Your brother is lucky to have you, but make sure you look after yourself as well.