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Live Webinar In Person

When Skills Seem to Disappear: Understanding and Treating Autistic Burnout

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Pricing

Information

Date & Time

Location

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Define Autistic Burnout, identify three core elements that lead to Autistic Burnout, and be prepared with strategies to help clients overcome Autistic Burnout.

  • Understand the “Spoon Theory” and explain why a person diagnosed with Autism might suddenly “lose skills” or seem unable to do tasks they used to handle.

  • Demonstrate three strategies to assist clients in an Autistic Recovery Burnout Plan.

Educational Goal

Participants will leave with a clearer framework for identifying autistic burnout and practical strategies for helping clients restore functioning by addressing stress, energy limits, and environmental demands.

Description

Autistic burnout is often misunderstood as regression, defiance, or lack of motivation, when in fact it is a response to chronic stress, mismatched expectations, and insufficient supports. This presentation will define autistic burnout, explore the core elements that contribute to it, and explain why individuals may suddenly lose skills or appear unable to manage tasks they once handled. Using concepts like Spoon Theory, participants will gain a clearer understanding of the exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus that characterize burnout. Practical strategies for building recovery plans will be provided, with an emphasis on reducing stressors, lowering demands, and helping clients increase their coping capacity. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with tools to recognize autistic burnout and support meaningful recovery in their clients.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Ingrid Boveda, PhD. received her Master's and Doctoral degrees from the University of Utah, and specializes in assessment and diagnoses in clinically complex cases, particularly those involving neurodevelopmental differences. She is the founding psychologist at The Hive Psychological Services, a premier and neurodivergent-informed psychological testing practice, as well as the Co-Founder of COGenuity, which provides qEEG and neurofeedback services nationally. "Dr. B" as she is often called, identifies as neurodivergent, and much of her work is rooted in helping clients and their families better understand their unique profile of strengths and struggles, understanding that some of these struggles need to be contextualized in societal norms of normality. Dr. B personally understands what it feels like when all the pieces do not connect despite trying one's best. She is intent on shifting society's paradigm of how we help neurodivergent individuals, and is passionate about working with families and educating providers, educators, and support person's towards these efforts.
Rashell Stubbs, CMHC, has been with Discovery Ranch South since 2017, becoming Assistant Clinical Director in 2021. Prior to joining the Discovery Ranch South team, Rashell worked with adolescents beginning in 2005 as both residential staff and a therapist. She earned her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix in 2008. Throughout her career, Rashell has worked primarily with adolescents and has extensive experience supporting youth with depression, anxiety, attachment challenges, trauma, and Autism. She has completed the Level 1 Intensive Training in Radically Open DBT, Phase 1 of Brainspotting, and both Level 1 and Level 2 training in Natural Lifemanship. Rashell is married and has three daughters, along with her dog, Posh, who joins her at work each day. Outside of her professional life, Rashell enjoys spending time with her family at their cabin, riding horses, cheering on her daughters at their many sporting events, and exploring the many beautiful places Southern Utah has to offer.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Ascent Behavioral Health