Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

TPP 317: A Conversation About Autistic Burnout with Neurodivergent Support Specialist Kristy Forbes

Feb 7, 2023

Guest Kristy Forbes, an autism and neurodiversity support specialist, discusses autistic burnout, the challenges of recognizing it in children, and the need for deep rest during these periods. They also explore how mental health challenges can be misunderstood in autistic burnout treatment and offer strategies to support young people in prioritizing rest and self-care. The podcast emphasizes the importance of acceptance, understanding, and community support in helping autistic individuals navigate burnout.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Growing Impact and Support for Parents of Autistic Children

02:40 • 4min

Understanding Autistic Burnout

06:33 • 8min

Experiential Gifts, Gut Health, and Supporting Young People

14:37 • 6min

Understanding and Supporting Autistic Burnout

20:19 • 27min

Gratitude, Previous Episodes, and Show Notes

47:12 • 4min

I’m honored to kick off the season with a powerful conversation about autistic burnout with autism and neurodiversity support specialist, Kristy Forbes. Kristy and I talk about what exactly autistic burnout is and how it presents, why “deep rest” is critical for someone experiencing autistic burnout, and how autistic burnout is differentiated from mood disorders or depression. We also talk frankly about the challenges of seeing burnout in autistic children through a neuronormative lens, and how that may lead to therapies and strategies that may be the opposite of what a child in autistic burnout actually needs.

Kristy Forbes is an Australian-based autism & neurodiversity support specialist with experience working with clients both nationally and internationally. This includes neurodivergent people and their families; and professionals who wish to support them, such as educators, psychologists, pediatricians, allied health professionals, support workers and integration aides.

Kristy is formally identified autistic, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) as well as being a parent to four neurodivergent children.

Things you'll learn from this episode

What autistic burnout is and how it's different from other types of burnout
How mental health challenges might be misinterpreted in autistic burnout treatment
How to support young people, adolescents, and children in recognizing the value of taking pause and resting
Clues to help parents have a better understanding of what their child is struggling with
Examples of what deep rest might look like for children and young people
How to recognize when your child is starting to emerge from burnout