# 7 - When “Rest” Isn’t Recovery

Today we’re diving into something many late-identified autistic women know in our bones: when we don’t get real downtime — the kind with true quiet, low demands, and zero masking — our systems don’t just get tired, they get depleted.

And here’s the twist: a good night’s sleep or a “catch-up” weekend often doesn’t fix it. In this episode, Dr. Allison Sucamele unpacks why that happens through the lens of autistic burnout, camouflaging, sensory load, monotropism, minority stress, and allostatic load — the body’s “wear and tear” from chronic stress.

Using both research and lived experience, we’ll explore:
🌿 Why typical rest isn’t enough for autistic nervous systems
🧠 How masking and sensory strain build hidden exhaustion
⚙️ What allostatic load can teach us about long-term burnout
💫 Practical steps to create true recovery — and protect your energy

A gentle reminder: every autistic journey is unique. This episode reflects one perspective and is for education, reflection, and community support — not a substitute for professional advice.

If you’re struggling or feeling overwhelmed, you can call or text 988 (U.S.) for free, confidential support 24/7. You are not alone. 💛

Box Breathing

Works Cited & Referenced

• Raymaker, D. M., et al. (2020). Defining autistic burnout: chronic life stress + mismatch of expectations without supports; characterizes long-term exhaustion and reduced tolerance to stimulus. Autistic adults describe cumulative load and barriers to relief. PubMed+2Liebert Publishing+2
• National Autistic Society (2022). Professional summary of autistic burnout and its features; emphasizes months-long exhaustion and loss of function. National Autistic Society
• Perry, E., et al. (2021). Review on camouflaging as a response to autism; late-diagnosed women describe masking as exhausting and confusing for identity. PMC+1
• Hull, L., et al. (2020). Review of the Female Autism Phenotype and camouflaging. SpringerLink
• Cassidy, S., et al. (2019–2023). Camouflaging associated with thwarted belongingness and suicidality; potential mental-health risks of sustained masking. PMC+2PubMed+2
• Milton, D. (2012). The Double Empathy Problem: breakdowns in mutual understanding between differently disposed people—not a one-sided autistic deficit. Summaries for practice included. Taylor & Francis Online+2National Autistic Society+2
• Sensory processing in autistic adults; Dunn’s model and adult data on hyper-reactivity linking to overload and fatigue. PMC+2AOTA+2
• Sleep in autistic adults: high prevalence of insomnia; links to sensory hyper-reactivity; clinical overviews. PMC+2PMC+2
• Monotropism: attentional style running “narrow and deep,” implications for overload from interruptions and task-switching; professional summaries and original theory. PubMed+2BPS+2
• Minority stress in autism a