Peer-reviewed academic research studies
This study is the first to explore ‘autistic inertia’. Previous research has considered initiation only in the context of social interaction or experimental conditions. This study is unique in considering difficulty initiating tasks of any type in real life settings, and by gathering data directly from autistic people. Further investigation is needed to better understand autistic inertia and effective support strategies.
Although commonly described on social media by autistic people, there is little recognition of autistic burnout in the academic literature. Autistic burnout was defined as a highly debilitating condition characterised by exhaustion, withdrawal, executive function problems and generally reduced functioning, with increased manifestation of autistic traits – and distinct from depression and non-autistic burnout. Further work is needed to differentiate autistic burnout from other conditions and to build clinician understanding of the accompanying complexity to be considered in treatment planning.
Autistic adults described the primary characteristics of autistic burnout as chronic exhaustion, loss of skills, and reduced tolerance to stimulus. They described burnout as happening because of life stressors that added to the cumulative load they experienced, and barriers to support that created an inability to obtain relief from the load. These findings highlight the need to reduce discrimination and stigma related to autism and disability.