

549 | Diagnosed AuDHD: Navigating Burnout, Balance, and Blind Spots with Dr. Shannan Palma
8 snips May 19, 2025
Dr. Shannan Palma, founder and CEO of ITI Assistive Technologies, shares her journey of receiving late autism and ADHD diagnoses in her 40s. She discusses the significance of sensory sensitivities and the intricacies of neurodivergent burnout, emphasizing differences between autistic and occupational burnout. Shannan reflects on her extensive self-diagnosis process and the development of supportive tools for neurodivergent adults. Together with Eric, they explore emotional challenges and strategies for coping within social contexts, unveiling the complexities of their shared experiences.
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Shannan's Sensory and Organizational Story
- Dr. Shannan Palma shared how her sensory sensitivities and personal quirks reflected her undiagnosed autism and ADHD for decades.
- She described rearranging her books by color as a calming coping mechanism during burnout and stress.
Understanding Autistic Burnout
- Autistic burnout differs from occupational burnout by being cumulative and linked to cognitive load mismatch.
- It's a dynamic disability causing skill regression and fluctuating abilities beyond usual work stress.
Act on Knowledge Not Just Knowing
- Knowing what to do is easy, but actually doing it is the hard part for neurodivergent adults.
- Prioritize building capacity to act on knowledge for sustainable well-being.