TPP 448: A Conversation with Dr. Megan Anna Neff About Autistic Burnout
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Show Notes
Today I’m talking with Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a clinical psychologist, the host of the Divergent Conversations podcast, and the creator of Neurodivergent Insights, where she creates and shares fantastic, well-researched, and accessible resources for the neurodivergent community. Megan Anna is also the author of Self-Care for Autistic People, which we talked about in a previous episode, and her newest book which we’re talking about today, The Autistic Burnout Workbook. We’ll explore what autistic burnout is, how it shows up (especially in kids), and why it’s so often confused with depression. We also get into the realities of recovery, the importance of understanding each person’s baseline, and how to support kids through burnout in ways that are truly helpful.
About Megan Anna Neff
Dr. Megan Anna Neff is a clinical psychologist, author, and founder of Neurodivergent Insights. She is the author of Self-Care for Autistic People and The Autistic Burnout Workbook. Dr. Neff contributes regularly to Psychology Today and has been featured in outlets like CNN, PBS, ABC, and The Los Angeles Times. After discovering her own neurodivergence at age 37, she became passionate about raising awareness of non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD. Through Neurodivergent Insights, she creates educational and wellness resources for the neurodivergent community, while also co-hosting the Divergent Conversations podcast.
Things you'll learn from this episode
- What is autistic burnout, and why is it sometimes confused with depression
- What are the major symptoms of burnout, and examples of how it shows up at different ages
- What recovery really means and why it looks different for everybody
- The two strategies that are key to recovery from autistic burnout
- How to support kids through burnout in ways that are truly helpful
Resources mentioned
- The Autistic Burnout Workbook: Your Guide to Your Personal Recovery Plan by Dr. Megan Anna Neff
- Self-Care For Autistic People by Dr. Megan Anna Neff
- Dr. Megan Anna Neff on Diagnoses and Misdiagnoses (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
- Dr. Megan Anna Neff on Self-Care for Autistic People (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
- Sensate (Sensory device)
- Dr. Mel Houser on Navigating the Healthcare System as a Neurodivergent Person (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
- Dr. Mona Delahooke on the Power of Brain-Body Parenting (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
- Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Dr. Mona Delahooke
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