Autistic Burnout in a Chaotic World with Dr. Neff: How to Slow Down & Survive

Burnout isn’t just about being tired — especially if you’re autistic. In this conversation with Dr. Megan Anna Neff, psychologist and author of The Autistic Burnout Workbook, we explore what autistic burnout really looks like, why it hits so hard for neurodivergent parents, and how to slow down without falling apart. 🔥

We talk about the invisible mental load, the pressure to perform, parenting in survival mode, and how to stay human in a world that demands too much — especially with current political events adding more stress to our plates.

💬 Topics we cover include:

👉 How autistic burnout differs from depression

👉 Parenting neurodivergent kids while burned out

👉 Sensory overwhelm, overstimulation, and “being over-touched”

👉 Mental load, perfectionism, and workaholism

👉 How to rest when your body says stop but your brain won’t

👉 Slow advocacy and resisting urgency in a chaotic political climate

🌿 This is a deep, grounding, and honest conversation. You may want to add this video to your ‘Watch Later’ playlist — a second watch often brings new insights.

👇 Resources Mentioned:
📘 The Autistic Burnout Workbook by Dr. Neff (affiliate link) → https://neurodivergentinsights.com/re...
🌐 Explore Dr. Neff’s website + Sunday essays (affiliate link) → https://neurodivergentinsights.com/re...
🎙️ Listen to Divergent Conversations podcast → https://www.divergentpod.com/
📺 Subscribe for more real talk about neurodivergent life → https://www.youtube.com/momonthespect...

🎉 FREE Ultimate Guide to Understanding Autism (Great tool for parents of autistic kids): https://www.momonthespectrum.life/guide

⏱️ Timestamps (click to jump to a specific section of the video)

00:00 - Intro & Why This Conversation Matters
01:06 - What Burnout Looks Like for Neurodivergent Parents
03:48 - Playground Stress & Sensory Overload
06:00 - Over-Touched: The Sensory Side of Parenting
07:41 - Shame, Language, and Nervous System Awareness
09:22 - Using Timers, Body Boundaries & Modeling Advocacy
10:50 - Clashing Sensory Needs in Families
12:48 - Mental Load & Memory Fatigue as an Autistic Parent
15:18 - Parental Privilege & Executive Function Support
16:16 - Asking for Help Without Shame
17:22 - Burnout as a Canary in the Coal Mine
19:28 - It’s Not Us vs. Them — It’s All of Us
20:50 - Processing Political Chaos & Autism “News”
22:09 - Slow Advocacy vs. Urgent Reactivity
24:03 - Burnout, Boundaries & Personal Capacity
25:39 - What Real Change Looks Like (and Why It’s Slow)
29:27 - Burnout Warning Signs & Sensory Shutdowns
32:20 - Burnout vs. Depression
35:00 - High School Burnout & Hyperachievement
36:35 - First Steps When Burnout Hits
38:39 - Burnout Recovery Setup: Tools, Space & Sensory Supports
40:13 - The Pain of Being Perceived on Social Media
43:05 - Growth, Self-Compassion & Being Real
45:27 - Showing Up Authentically Online
46:06 - The Power of Quiet Ego
47:49 - How Dr. Neff Finished Her Workbook
50:05 - Repurposing Content as an Autistic Creator
51:17 - How to Use The Autistic Burnout Workbook
53:08 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Dr. Neff