The Chronically Resilient OT

11/09/2026

Understanding Autistic Burnout is so important!

Great article from The Autistic Advocate

“There is story, after story, after story, of Autistic people young and old, who have Burnout repeatedly dismissed by medical professionals who do not understand what it is, have no clue and seem to think that the answer to everything is depression and anti-depressants.”

This reflects something I hear again and again from Autistic people and families! Experiences of burnout being misunderstood, mislabelled, or dismissed entirely.

When professionals don’t recognise Autistic Burnout, the conversation often shifts quickly toward depression, medication, or individual pathology, rather than understanding the context that led to the exhaustion in the first place.

But burnout is not simply depression, and it cannot be understood without recognising the cumulative impact of masking, overwhelm and sustained demand.

Until Autistic Burnout is properly understood, many Autistic people will continue to struggle without the recognition or support they need.

This quote is from ‘An Autistic Burnout’, my most read article, which is one of the essays contained in my new book, ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’ (link to both the article and book in the comments).

07/09/2026

Seeking feedback about neurodivergent occupational therapy student placement supports.

I have the opportunity to deliver a 1 hour session (not long I know!) to occupational therapy student placement supervisors about supporting neurodivergent students on placement.

I would love input from OT students, those who were OT students and placement supervisors to include in the session. The session is Australian based so responses are mostly sought from those who work/study in Australia but please do still respond if you are elsewhere, just maybe put which country you’re based in in your comment. Answers will be collated and used in training and possibly also a blog. No names or direct quotes will be used.

Questions for neurodivergent OT students:
-What supports helped you on placement?
-What made placement extra difficult? How did/didn’t these things get addressed?
-What would you have wanted your placement supervisor to know about neurodivergence?
– Did you disclose your neurodivergence on placement? Why or why not? If not, What would have made you more comfortable disclosing?

Questions for placement supervisors:
– What would you want to know about supporting neurodivergent students on placement? Are there some key topics you’d like to know more about?
– What supports do you need to be able to support the students?
– How do you currently balance making accommodations and meeting placement requirements?

For both
-Anything else you’d like included?

You are welcome to email me if you don’t want to comment publicly - [email protected]

Thank you!

01/09/2026

Highly recommend Vikki Reynolds’ trainings!

31/08/2026

🤪

31/08/2026

Some great recommendations here from Jade Farrington - Counsellor and Therapist

Read at https://jadefarrington.substack.com/p/three-more-essential-resources-i

Autism and ADHD are about so much more than brains.

These resources from All Brains Belong VT, The Coach and Nigh.functioning.Autism help make connections with what's going on in our bodies and wider environments.

Learn about common co-occuring health conditions; the difference between internalised meltdowns and shutdowns; motor control differences, and more.

Link below.

29/08/2026

Oof can relate to this from ADHD Alien

28/08/2026

Can highly recommend Wild of Brain - Anissa Ljanta, writer & ND coach if you’re needing support!

Ever wondered what neurodivergent specialist coaching with me is like? Here is all you need to know in the latest Wild of Brain Substack.

I record voiceovers to make the Substack more accessible. You can take me for a walk or on your drive to work. You're welcome😁❤

Oh, also, I've just opened up more availability for coaching sessions. Fees are on a sliding scale. You can book a free connection call on the Wild of Brain website, or DM me for the link.

❤🌈🧠🔥

https://anissaljanta.substack.com/p/what-does-neurodivergent-specialist

27/08/2026

So many transitions in a day!

Autistics are well known for not being the best when it comes to dealing with change, but what isn't well known is how many changes people have to go through in their everyday lives without even realizing it. Minute to minute, hour to hour, we go through countless changes every single day, and some days, it's just too much.

Please like, comment, share and follow! It really helps support me!

[Image description: A six panel comic of Honeydew going through daily changes. The comic is titled "Challenging Changes" and is made by Theresa Scovil.

Panel 1:
Honeydew says to the audience "While it's understood that autistics aren't great with change, I don't think people fully understand what that entails."
Panel 2:
Honeydew looks sad as they lay in bed.
Narrations says "The change from in bed to out of bed."
Panel 3:
Honeydew looks said as they stand outside the shower with a towel wrapped around them.
Narration says "From out of the shower to in the shower."
Panel 4:
Honeydew looks sad as carry a purse and grab onto a door handle.
Narrations says "From inside to outside."
Panel 5:
Honeydew says to the audience "There are so many changes we have to go through throughout our day."
Panel 6:
They looks sad as they say "And some days, even the simplest ones are too hard."]