Resources and Insights

Autistic employees don't all need the same accommodations. One person may be significantly affected by noise but have no difficulty with meetings. Another may tolerate a busy office easily but struggle when expectations aren't clearly communicated. Someone else may find unpredictable schedule changes particularly difficult.

Autistic masking refers to behaviors autistic people may use to hide, suppress, or compensate for autistic traits in order to fit social expectations. Some masking is intentional, such as consciously reminding yourself to make eye contact or avoid talking too much about a favorite subject, but other forms of masking become automatic after years of practice.

One reason autistic burnout can be difficult to recognize is that the person experiencing it may be performing very well. Being good at your job doesn't necessarily mean your work environment is easy for your nervous system to manage. Several factors may contribute to exhaustion.