about this episode (+ scroll for resources) 👇
this episode wraps up our three-part series on autistic burnout.
dr. tay is joined by amanda diekman, author of The Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout, to talk about what burnout recovery can actually look like over time and why healing is rarely linear.
amanda breaks down the phases of burnout, how support needs change across each phase, what “deep rest” can look like for kids, and why parents may need to continually recalibrate between accommodation, capacity-building, safety, and trust.
you’ll hear about:
- why burnout is often a long-term healing process rather than something to “fix”
- the phases of burnout and how to recognize where your child may be
- why curiosity can return before actual nervous system capacity
- how accommodation needs can shift throughout recovery
- the role of school, medication, therapy, safety planning, and basic needs
- what deep rest can actually look like for autistic kids
- why parents often need support for their own nervous systems, too
timestamps
00:00 introduction to burnout and amanda diekman's background
02:15 the long journey of writing the burnout book
03:16 shifting mindset from fixing to living well in burnout
04:24 understanding burnout as a long-term process
06:34 defining burnout
08:08 the impact of school and environment on burnout
16:22 the butterfly metaphor: from chrysalis to emergence
19:58 phase one: the child as "a pile of goo"
21:01 phase two: curious but no capacity
23:27 learning to communicate and trust building
24:17 phase three: re-emergence and thriving
39:53 deep rest and recognizing signs of exhaustion
resources
⚡️ The Parent's Handbook for Kids in Burnout by amanda diekman — a low-demand guide to understanding burnout, supporting recovery, navigating the different phases, and helping your child heal and thrive
⚡️ other episodes to listen to include amanda's previous episode (113), episode 204, and parts 1 and 2 of this series (234 & 235)
⚡️ EVOLVE the membership — ongoing education, monthly masterclasses, and weekly Q+A support for parents of autistic kids
⚡️ explore dr. tay’s clinical services, parent resources, and support at drtaylorday.com
⚡️ follow dr. tay on instagram @the.dr.tay for practical autism education, behind-the-scenes reflections, and parenting insights
