TPP 448: A Conversation with Dr. Megan Anna Neff About Autistic Burnout

TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

Debbie Reber

Education, Parenting, Kids & Family

4.8 • 983 Ratings

🗓️ 17 June 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

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 Dr. Megan Anna Neff’s website, Neurodivergent Insights 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 Divergent Conversations Podcast Neurodivergent Insights on Instagram Neurodivergent Insights on Facebook Dr. Megan Anna Neff on LinkedIn Dr. Megan Anna Neff’s Link in Bio Dr. Megan Anna Neff on Diagnoses and Misdiagnoses (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Dr. Megan Anna Neff on Self-Care for Autistic People (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Dr. Dora Raymaker Sensate (Sensory device) Dr. Mel Houser on Navigating the Healthcare System as a Neurodivergent Person (Tilt Parenting Podcast) All Brains Belong Dr. Mona Delahooke on the Power of Brain-Body Parenting (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Dr. Mona Delahooke’s website Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Dr. Mona Delahooke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Okay, everyone, so look at the numbers from Q1, and you'll see that there's a sharp...
0:04.0	Alex? Oh, I think you're frozen.
0:06.8	And that's why it's crucial that we mean...
0:08.9	E! That sounded important.
0:11.0	Because if we don't act now...
0:13.1	We've lost him.
0:14.5	Bring an end to work-call interruptions with EE Wi-Fi Enhancer.
0:18.7	More work from homers are choosing EEE broadband, the UK's fastest growing
0:23.4	broadband provider. And he's back. So I hope that was all clear. To verify I see EE.com.
0:29.0	Atk.uk slash claims. I'm Debbie Reber and this is Full Tilled Parenting, a podcast for parents
0:34.7	raising and neurodivergent kids. Today I'm talking with Dr. Megan Ananaf,
0:39.5	a clinical psychologist, the host of the divergent conversations podcast, and the creator of
0:44.7	neurodivergent insights, where she shares fantastic, well-researched, and accessible resources
0:49.7	for the neurodivergent community. Megan Anna is also the author of self-care for autistic people,
0:55.5	which we talked about in a previous episode, and her newest book, The Autistic Burnout Workbook.
1:00.9	So that's what we're going to talk about today, autistic burnout, what it is, how it shows up,
1:06.0	especially in kids, and why it's so often confused with depression and how to determine what is what.
1:12.1	We'll also be getting into the realities of recovery from burnout, the importance of understanding
1:16.8	each person's baseline, and how to support kids through burnout in ways that are truly helpful.
1:22.4	It's a fantastic conversation. If you've experienced burnout, if you're concerned your autistic child is
1:28.3	experiencing burnout, this is a must listen. And I would love your help in spreading this
1:32.8	conversation far and wide. So here is my conversation with Dr. Megan Anana F on autistic
	...

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