Autistic Burnout: Risk Factors and Protective Strategies
Presented by Kate McNulty, LCSW
Recorded on Wednesday, August 28th, 2024
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
Burnout is recognized in the general population as a state of depleted energy, associated with unusual demands of employment, caregiving or other transient challenges. Autistic burnout is attributed to nervous system dysregulation; this may be caused by life stress but can also result from social or sensory overwhelm that would not affect most people. Autistic burnout diminishes quality of life and executive function. Left unaddressed it can precipitate job loss, panic symptoms and suicide ideation or attempts.
Autistic people benefit from prevention of burnout and can learn strategies and habits that leave them equipped to ward off or at least diminish the effects of burnout. Through observation and reconstructing a personal history of previous burnout episodes, clients are likely to successfully reduce the destructive impact of burnout and maintain greater life satisfaction and connection with suitable supports. This session will review the risk factors contributing to autistic burnout and the strategies to address burnout with autistic clients. Furthermore, this session will address how to incorporate these strategies into treatment plans to improve burnout.
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.0 CEs for Psychologists, 2.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, or 2.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs.
Burnout is recognized in the general population as a state of depleted energy, associated with unusual demands of employment, caregiving or other transient challenges. Autistic burnout is attributed to nervous system dysregulation; this may be caused by life stress but can also result from social or sensory overwhelm that would not affect most people. Autistic burnout diminishes quality of life and executive function. Left unaddressed it can precipitate job loss, panic symptoms and suicide ideation or attempts.
Autistic people benefit from prevention of burnout and can learn strategies and habits that leave them equipped to ward off or at least diminish the effects of burnout. Through observation and reconstructing a personal history of previous burnout episodes, clients are likely to successfully reduce the destructive impact of burnout and maintain greater life satisfaction and connection with suitable supports. This session will review the risk factors contributing to autistic burnout and the strategies to address burnout with autistic clients. Furthermore, this session will address how to incorporate these strategies into
treatment plans to improve burnout.
After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:
- Recognize the risk factors contributing to Autistic burnout
- Incorporate 3 strategies into treatment plans to ameliorate burnout in Autistic clients
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.
General Admission: $30
The Chicago School Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $20*
The Chicago School Students: $15*
(Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Kate McNulty, LCSW
Kate McNulty LCSW has specialized in work with Autistic adults for the past ten years and is an Autistic clinician. Credentials include certification as a Gottman Method Therapist and a Sex Therapist and Supervisor with AASECT, the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
Higgins, J. M., Arnold, S., Weise, J., Pellicano, E., & Trollor, J. N. (2021). Defining autistic burnout through experts by lived experience: Grounded Delphi method investigating #AutisticBurnout. Autism, 25(8), 2356–2369.
https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211019858
Mantzalas, J., Richdale, A. L., & Dissanayake, C. (2022). A conceptual model of risk and protective factors for autistic burnout. Autism Research, 15(6), 976–987. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2722
Raymaker, D., Teo, A. R., Steckler, N. A., Lentz, B., Scharer, M., Santos, A. D., Kapp, S. K., Hunter, M., Joyce, A., & Nicolaidis, C. (2020). “Having All of Your Internal Resources Exhausted Beyond Measure and Being Left with No Clean-Up Crew”: Defining Autistic Burnout. Autism in Adulthood, 2(2), 132–143. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2019.0079
Target Audience: Masters and Doctoral level mental health therapists who work with Autistic adults.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 2.0 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.