What does autistic burnout actually feel like—and more importantly, how do you begin to recover from it? In this episode of Adult Autism: A Spectrum of Uniqueness, I sit down with autistic therapist, coach, and author Sharon O'Connor to talk about one of the most common yet misunderstood experiences in the autistic community. We explore how autistic burnout differs from depression and everyday stress, why so many autistic adults stay burned out for years without realizing it, and what genuine recovery can look like.

Sharon also shares insights from her book, Healing Autistic Burnout (https://tinyurl.com/ahd6u9tz), including practical ideas for reconnecting with yourself, reducing the impact of masking, advocating for your needs, and creating a life that's actually sustainable.

Whether you're currently experiencing burnout, wondering if you've been living in survival mode, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers understanding, hope, and practical next steps.

The Adult Autism: A Spectrum of Uniqueness podcast series is hosted by Christopher Quarto - a licensed psychologist who evaluates adults for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (https://chrisquarto.com). Issues pertaining to mildly autistic adults (and neurodiverse folks who believe they are on the spectrum) are covered on the podcast including sensory sensitivities, how to make friends, regulating emotions and the role pets play as friends. Listen and discover why your uniqueness is awesome!

* Would you like to watch a video version of this podcast episode? Check out the Adult Autism: A Spectrum of Uniqueness YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4IPUmICA-ZlIERsJk3pHyqkSyPKMht9X

* Are you interested in taking the online course for autistic adults? “Unmasked: Living Authentically as an Autistic Adult” is designed to help newly diagnosed & self-diagnosed autistic adults understand their identity, reduce masking, build practical communication and self-regulation skills, and create a life that aligns with their values, energy, and nervous system. To get on the waitlist or learn more about the course shoot Dr. Quarto an e-mail (chris@chrisquarto.com) or check out his website: (https://chrisquarto.com/online-courses-books)

* Are you thinking that you might be autistic but have never been professionally evaluated? How about taking a 6-question quiz designed by Dr. Quarto to find out if autism is likely: “Am I Autistic?” quiz link - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/64db4bb606278800141be2fd

* Are you interested in getting evaluated for autism? Dr. Quarto conducts in-person and telehealth evaluations with clients in most states across the United States! Click here to get the ball rolling: https://chrisquarto.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-testing/

Have you spent much of your life feeling different from other people without really understanding why? If so, this episode of the Adult Autism: A Spectrum of Uniqueness podcast is for you! Dr. Quarto explores how the experience of feeling different can develop from childhood through adulthood, how masking can become one way of adapting, and how discovering you’re autistic can help you look at yourself and your past through a different lens. Most importantly, he discusses how understanding your differences can help you move away from asking, “Why can’t I be more like everybody else?” and toward a much more useful question: “What actually works for me?”

The Adult Autism: A Spectrum of Uniqueness podcast series is hosted by Christopher Quarto - a licensed psychologist who conducts Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) evaluations for adults (https://chrisquarto.com). Issues pertaining to mildly autistic adults (and neurodiverse folks who believe they are on the spectrum) are covered on the podcast including sensory sensitivities, how to make friends, regulating emotions and the role pets play as friends. Listen and discover why your uniqueness is awesome!

* Would you like to watch a video version of this podcast episode? Check out the Adult Autism: A Spectrum of Uniqueness YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4IPUmICA-ZlIERsJk3pHyqkSyPKMht9X

* Are you interested in taking the online course for autistic adults that Dr. Quarto mentioned during the podcast episode? It’s finally done!! The title of the course is “Unmasked: Living Authentically as an Autistic Adult” and while it's designed for newly diagnosed autistic folks any autistic person will benefit from the content and experiences. Shoot Dr. Quarto an e-mail to learn more about the course: chris@chrisquarto.com

* Are you thinking that you might be autistic but have never been professionally evaluated? How about taking a 6-question quiz designed by Dr. Quarto to find out if autism is likely: “Am I Autistic?” quiz link - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/64db4bb606278800141be2fd

* Are you interested in getting evaluated for autism? Dr. Quarto conducts in-person and telehealth evaluations with clients in most states across the United States! Click here to get the ball rolling: https://chrisquarto.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-testing/

Can you really tell if someone is autistic just by looking at them? In this final Autism Myth Courtroom episode, Dr. Christopher Quarto puts one last myth on trial. Discover why autism doesn't have a single "look," how masking can hide autistic traits for years, and why curiosity is a better guide than assumptions.

The Adult Autism: A Spectrum of Uniqueness podcast series is hosted by Christopher Quarto - a licensed psychologist who evaluates adults for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (https://chrisquarto.com). Issues pertaining to mildly autistic adults (and neurodiverse folks who believe they are on the spectrum) are covered on the podcast including sensory sensitivities, how to make friends, regulating emotions and the role pets play as friends. Listen and discover why your uniqueness is awesome!

* Would you like to watch a video version of this podcast episode? Check out the Adult Autism: A Spectrum of Uniqueness YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4IPUmICA-ZlIERsJk3pHyqkSyPKMht9X

* Are you interested in taking the online course for autistic adults? “Unmasked: Living Authentically as an Autistic Adult” is designed to help newly diagnosed & self-diagnosed autistic adults understand their identity, reduce masking, build practical communication and self-regulation skills, and create a life that aligns with their values, energy, and nervous system. The next course starts the week of 8/31/26. To enroll or learn more about the course shoot Dr. Quarto an e-mail (chris@chrisquarto.com) or check out his website: (https://chrisquarto.com/online-courses-books)

* Are you thinking that you might be autistic but have never been professionally evaluated? How about taking a 6-question quiz designed by Dr. Quarto to find out if autism is likely: “Am I Autistic?” quiz link - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/64db4bb606278800141be2fd

* Are you interested in getting evaluated for autism? Dr. Quarto conducts in-person and telehealth evaluations with clients in most states across the United States! Click here to get the ball rolling: https://chrisquarto.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-testing/