Autistic Burnout

A state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion experienced by autistic people, often resulting from the cumulative effect of masking (suppressing autistic traits to appear neurotypical), sensory overload, and the ongoing effort of navigating environments not designed for neurodivergent needs. Autistic burnout can manifest as loss of skills, increased sensitivity, withdrawal, executive function difficulties, and reduced capacity for daily activities. Unlike general burnout, it is specifically tied to the demands of functioning in a neurotypical world and can be triggered or worsened by poorly designed digital environments that prioritize overwhelming, fast-paced, algorithmically driven content.