Spoon Theory and Energy Management (Pacing)
Managing daily energy through Spoon Theory, Energy Accounting, and the Traffic Light System to prevent neurodivergent burnout.
Neurodivergent Burnout and Energy Management
Continuous social camouflage (masking), sensory overload, and executive dysfunction inevitably drive AuDHD individuals into **Neurodivergent Burnout** (Autistic/ADHD Burnout). Unlike workplace fatigue, neurodivergent burnout is a prolonged loss of functional skills, sensory tolerance, and mental capacity.
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Pacing Models: Energy Accounting and Traffic Light System
To avoid the destructive "Boom-and-Bust" cycle (overexerting on good days followed by multi-day crashes), individuals can adopt pacing systems:
**Energy Accounting (Attwood & Toudal):** Assigning numerical (+) or (-) values to daily tasks to ensure daily expenditure does not exceed energetic capacity.
**Traffic Light System:** Categorizing tasks into Red (high load), Yellow (moderate), and Green (restorative) to prevent stacking red activities consecutively.