Our Modes/Parts Formulation of ‘Autistic Burnout’ cycles – Purple

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Our Modes/Parts Formulation of ‘Autistic Burnout’ cycles – Purple

This resource was created by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Hugh Walker, drawing on discussions with his fellow Directors at Minds & Hearts, Clinical Psychologists Dr. Wesley Turner and Dr. David Zimmerman, as well as his training in Schema Therapy. It is based on Dr. Walker’s extensive experience providing therapy to adults who have discovered they are autistic later in life, such as during their teenage years or adulthood. By this stage, they often have a collection of experiences of feeling different, struggling to fit in, and having difficulties sustaining their energy and keeping up with peers. These experiences can lead to deep-seated beliefs about oneself as a failure, being defective, not belonging, or feeling undeserving of the same care as others. This may lead to masking and camouflaging behaviors, such as overcompensating socially to maintain the approval of others and appear “normal,” performing intense bursts of perfectionistic work, and detaching from daily sensory, social, and change-related stressors by consciously or unconsciously dampening body sensations of frustration and vulnerability—represented by the neurodivergent angry and vulnerable child modes, respectively.
Autistic adults may have difficulties accessing their child modes for three primary reasons:
(i) Trait Alexithymia – because they have never received training or support to learn how to identify and communicate the complex mix of sensations that constitute feelings;
(ii) State Alexithymia – because awareness and knowledge of feelings have been painful, distressing, or confusing, leading to the belief that expressing feelings results in negative consequences;
(iii) or a combination of these two alexithymic processes.
Over time, negative and confusing life events may contribute to the development of a dominant inner critic that assumes the person is neurotypical, applying inappropriate standards. This inner critic may occasionally seem helpful in the short term, reinforcing behaviours in a way that is negatively reinforcing (via a variable ratio, one of the most addictive schedules of reinforcement). However, listening to and acting on this critic ultimately leads to mental health symptoms like anxiety, depression, burnout, and even suicidal ideation within 3 to 6 months. Following recovery, the person’s energy is replenished, but the internal organization of their parts often leads them back to the same outcome by the next year or semester.
With understanding and targeted psychotherapy and education, these patterns can be reduced. This allows the individual’s feelings and needs to be voiced and advocated for by the healthy neurodivergent adult within them.
While many authors have written about autistic burnout recovery from an external perspective—focusing on reducing sensory exposure, social demands, and energy accounting—few have addressed the need to recalibrate the individual’s internal world. Helping all parts integrate and work together in a more constructive way is key to improving long-term well-being.
Some individuals are able to recalibrate quickly following their diagnostic feedback session. Others, particularly those who have experienced less attunement throughout childhood, may take longer and require 2-3 years of psychotherapy to undo maladaptive coping styles. This image was designed with the latter group in mind—those who need a concise mode-map or parts-map to understand the current cycle they are experiencing. The concept of a non-unitary self can initially feel confusing and abstract, but with concrete illustrations, it may be easier for individuals to begin recognising the different modes or parts of themselves as they appear in daily life.
Potential Applications:
  • For Clients Recently Diagnosed with Autism: Share with clients who have recently discovered they are autistic but continue to struggle with unblending from their inner critic, leading to feelings of sadness, shame, and guilt, as well as maintaining maladaptive coping modes.
  • For Visual Support in Therapy: Use with clients who need a concrete visual tool to help identify the specific modes likely maintaining their lifelong mental health symptoms, and to facilitate discussions about each mode and its role in perpetuating the cycle.
  • For Training Clinicians: Share with clinicians who are facing challenges in helping their clients recover from repeated cycles of burnout.