Teen’s “Autism Burnout” Leads to Three-Year School Absence

The parents of a 16-year-old boy have stated that “autism burnout” has prevented him from attending school for a period of three years. Alistair is currently receiving home education from his mother, Maggie, in High Hurstwood, located near Uckfield, East Sussex. His father, Jarvis, has urged schools to establish safe environments where children can take breaks when experiencing stress. East Sussex County Council has indicated that support services are accessible for students requiring assistance. The difficulties commenced following lockdown, at which point Alistair’s mother, Maggie, described the daily process of getting him to school as an ordeal. She recounted, “This was real meltdowns every single day,” adding, “self-harming, getting hysterical and just not being able to get him out the car.” She further stated, “He was a shell of himself.” She resigned from her teaching position to provide him with home schooling. Subsequently, she attended a presentation on autism burnout, after which she stated that the situation became entirely clear. She reflected, “I think I was in tears for most of it, thinking ‘this is what happened, this is exactly what happened to my son’. It was almost a textbook case.” Autistic burnout is defined by symptoms including chronic exhaustion, heightened sensory intolerance, a decline in functioning and skills, physical ailments, and sleep disruptions. Dr. Georgie Siggers, a consultant neurodevelopmental paediatrician, stated that the condition can have a “catastrophic effect,” leading to profound suffering, and that recovery may extend over several years. She elaborated, “They lose function, they lose their interest, it’s not just that they can’t go to school, they can’t actually do anything that they enjoyed before.” Jarvis, Alistair’s father, advocates for a more adaptable approach from educational institutions. He commented, “Part of the failure is it does not provide a safe space for a lot of students.” He further expressed, “If only schools had a space where students could step out and say ‘I can breathe here, I can take time out’.” East Sussex County Council indicated that its Communication, Learning and Autism Support Service (CLASS) assists young individuals in accessing full-time education, while CLASS plus offers support to families and carers, with additional details available on the local offer east sussex website. For updates, follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.