Dear you.
Thank you for the letter. And thank you for trusting me with something that is clearly very difficult for you. It’s good that you reached out.
What you describe sounds overwhelming, and it makes sense that your body and mind are reacting the way they are. Many autistic people experience periods of burnout when stress, demands, and pressure become too much for too long. Feeling exhausted, sad, anxious, avoiding tasks, and finding communication harder are all common signs — and they are not a failure on your part.
It’s important for you to know that this is not something you have to fix on your own. Burnout is a signal that you need support and adjustments, not that you need to try harder.
I hear that it feels very difficult to talk to your parents, especially if they don’t yet know much about autism or what you’re going through. You don’t have to explain everything perfectly. Sometimes it can help to start by saying something simple, like:
“I’m not okay, and I’m overwhelmed. I need help with school and stress.”
Perhaps it could be an idea for you to talk to another grown-up that you trust in your life. That could be somebody in the family, heilsufrøðingurin in your school or a teacher. Sometimes it can be at start to talk to aperson other than your parents.
For now, please try to be kind to yourself. Avoiding homework, feeling alarmed in your body, or needing more quiet are signs that your nervous system is overloaded — not signs of laziness.
You have taken a brave and important step by asking for help. Support exists, and things can get better with the right help around you.
You are always welcome to write or call us back on 116111.