Research shows that autistic people's brains tend to have higher processing power than non-autistic brains, but this may not always show as we often have a lot more to process compared to others. As a result, it can be quite easy for us to run out of ‘mental energy’ during the day. A lot of autistic people have had to learn how to manage their mental energy, to do all the activities they need to/ want to do during the day, and this is called energy accounting.

 

To understand this, think of an autistic person’s energy levels like a battery. Throughout the day, we experience things that ‘drain’ our battery.

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Battery drainers might be

 

Each individual is different and has different things that drain their battery. Some things that are drainers for one person, might charge energy for another.

One person’s drainers may be: 

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Small amount

 

Being asked how your day was

Brushing your teeth

Getting dressed

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Medium amount

 

Cooking a meal

Having a shower or bath

Being in a noisy environment

Being in a bright environment

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Large amount

 

Lack of sleep

School

Hot day

Pain

Medical appointment

Reaching out to a friend

Housework

 

They may also be things that recharge our batteries. Time spent with a special interest, or listening to music for example. Spending time doing these things can restore your energy levels. 

 

Battery chargers might be 

 

(but if your energy level is too low, you may not be able to do some of these things)

Again, things that may charge energy for one person, may be drainers for another. Each activity will also take or charge different amounts of energy depending on the person.

One person’s battery chargers might be: 

 

Walking 

Reading

Painting

Gaming 

Solitude

Wearing noise cancelling headphones

Running 

Listening to music

Time with a special interest

Self Care

Accomplishing a small task

Cooking & eating a proper meal- this depends on the person, for some it’s methodical/ beneficial and others it drains the battery

Cancelling plans, prioritising yourself and only doing what is achievable

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Managing your energy

 

When energy levels get too low, meltdowns are more likely to happen as you are more stressed and have little emotional energy left to manage any further demands/ sensory input/ stressors.

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When an activity or several activities drain your battery, time needs to be put aside to recharge it to prevent their battery draining completely. Being consistently low on energy over a long period of time results in autistic burnout, so having recovery times and activities is essential.

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People also start each day with a different amount of battery, so may be able to do more on certain days compared to others. Battery level can be affected by things such as amount of sleep, how much you were able to recharge the night before and amount of worries.

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This looks different for everyone and activities can take or recharge a different amount of energy, depending on the person.

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Autistic people have limited energy they can use every day. The amount of energy also varies day by day. This means that as time goes on it can be more difficult to complete tasks. As energy changes day by day, it may be really hard to do certain things that you find easy to do on other days.

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We need to prioritise energy on most important things and recharge often. If we fail to recharge in time or if we do something that takes an enormous toll, we might CRASH. It’s like having a flat mobile phone, there is nothing we can do until we have recharged, no matter how much we want or need to.

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Being able to listen to music or noise cancelling headphones can help you get through a task without draining your battery too fast. Like using your phone but it’s plugged into the charger so input and output are the same. Being able to control your environment, priority of the task and how you complete it can improve battery life.

 

"When I was at school, it took all of my energy to try and fit in, which meant I had nothing left when I got home. If my mum asked me how my day was, I couldn't answer and it could make me have a huge meltdown. This wasn't her fault, it was because I didn't have any energy left. I also never had meltdowns at school, I kept them inside until I got home because home is my safe place" - Autistic adult