Autistic Burnout on Reddit: A Sisyphean Struggle with Daily Tasks
Article
Ireland, Michael J., Clarey, Megan M., Abel, Susan and Brownlow, Charlotte. 2025. "Autistic Burnout on Reddit: A Sisyphean Struggle with Daily Tasks." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06765-4
Article Title | Autistic Burnout on Reddit: A Sisyphean Struggle with Daily Tasks |
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ERA Journal ID | 6353 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Ireland, Michael J., Clarey, Megan M., Abel, Susan and Brownlow, Charlotte |
Journal Title | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders |
Number of Pages | 13 |
Year | 2025 |
Publisher | Springer |
Place of Publication | United States |
ISSN | 0162-3257 |
1573-3432 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06765-4 |
Web Address (URL) | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-025-06765-4 |
Abstract | The crippling impacts of autistic burnout are well known to the autistic community, yet research is only in its early stages. While research to date has chiefly relied on structured interviews and Delphi studies, it has focused on defining and measuring burnout. What is missing from the research is an analysis of the broader experiences of autistic burnout, and the very real implications that autistic people face when impacted by it. This study reviewed the narratives of autistic people discussing their experiences of autistic burnout on the social media platform Reddit. Using data scraped from Reddit, quantitative and qualitative analyses were undertaken to elicit meaning from the online discourse. After analysing 249 Reddit threads using quantitative content analysis, the results supported existing research identifying three core components of autistic burnout, those being: chronic exhaustion; increased sensory sensitivities; and social withdrawal. New insights were found with users reporting physiological ailments as a complicating factor in their burnout experience. The research also found evidence supporting suggested treatment options for autistic burnout including reducing/stopping social obligations, reducing sensory inputs as much as possible, and time spent alone to reset and recharge. Most importantly, users identified that being autonomous in their recovery choices was critical to the success of their recovery. |
Keywords | Autistic burnout; Lived experience; Reddit; Qualitative content analysis; Exhaustion; Social withdrawal |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 520199. Applied and developmental psychology not elsewhere classified |
Byline Affiliations | Graduate Research School |
Centre for Heritage and Culture | |
School of Psychology and Wellbeing | |
Australian College of Applied Professions | |
Centre for Health Research |
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https://research.usq.edu.au/item/zx177/autistic-burnout-on-reddit-a-sisyphean-struggle-with-daily-tasks
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