You can only help others if you take care of yourself!

Autism, Highly Sensitive Persons & Self-Care Series Part 1

Everyone benefits from maintaining good self-care strategies and practices, but I believe it is essential for the health and mental well-being of autistics to spend time developing self-care routines and strategies. Many autistics are known as highly sensitive persons, whether that is sensory sensitivity, emotional sensitivity or both. As highly sensitive persons we are more likely to become overwhelmed by internal and external stimuli. It is estimated that approximately 70% of autistics will go on to mask their sensitivities and overwhelm, which without effective self-care measures will result in autistic burnout.

In a state of burnout, an autistic person is extremely fatigued, they are unable to function well mentally or physically and cannot effectively support themselves or others. As an autistic parent, it is devasting to be in a state of burnout and feel like you are failing to support your children. I have experienced two relatively short burnouts as a parent. One lasted for 6 months and the other for 6 weeks and both made me feel like a numb observer unable to participate in the world around me. The second burnout was much shorter because I learnt strategies and self-care routines after the first burnout and was able to focus on the things that would improve my energy, mood, capacity and spoons. Only as I recharged myself was I able to help support my children beyond basic survival again. So, for all of the autistics out there -learning about self-care is important, but for autistic parents, it is vital to learn self-care strategies and implement self-care routines. Look out for more blogs on understanding the aspects of self-care. creating your own self-care routine and understanding the dynamic nature of autism over the month of February.

Photo by Bing Zhang or Bing Z Photography.