Autistic Catatonia

Description

Autistic catatonia remains one of the most misunderstood and under-recognised presentations within autism. This practical resource pack has been developed to help professionals, families, and autistic people recognise the early signs of catatonia, understand what may contribute to its development, and respond in ways that prioritise safety, regulation, and support.

Grounded in current research, clinical experience, and autistic perspectives, the pack explores the relationship between autistic neurology, stress, sensory overload, burnout, and catatonic presentations. Rather than viewing catatonia as a behavioural issue, it provides a neuroaffirming framework for understanding changes in movement, speech, motivation, and responsiveness.

Designed for use across health, education, and community settings, the resource includes practical guidance, visual supports, case examples, and strategies that can be implemented immediately. It aims to increase confidence in recognising potential catatonia, facilitate earlier intervention, and promote compassionate, informed support.

Whether you are supporting an autistic child, adolescent, or adult, this resource provides an accessible introduction to an often-overlooked aspect of autistic experience and encourages a thoughtful, person-centred approach to care.

Pack includes 31 pages covering:

1. What is catatonia
2. Recognising the di­fferences between Occupational Burnout, Autistic Burnout, and Autistic Catatonia
3. How is autistic catatonia di­fferent to other types of catatonia?
4. Autistic catatonia fast facts
5. How autistic catatonia feels
6. How can you support someone during an autistic catatonia episode?
7. Autistic catatonia across a lifespan
8. What does autistic catatonia look like?
9. Autistic catatonia references
10. Supports and therapies for autistic catatonia
11. Supports and therapies for autistic catatonia
12. What is impacting on day to day functioning
13. (Re)Discovering your authenticity
14. The progression of autistic burnout
15. Recovering from autistic burnout
16. What is Executive Functioning?
17. 12 Executive functions and what they do
18. Behind the Mask
19. Infront of the mask
20. Monotropism and attention shifting
21. The allostatic load cycle and the monotropic mind
22. Anxiety and distress in autism
23. Autism + Environment = outcome
24. The autistic neurotype
25. Autistic energy/rest cycle
26. Autism +
27. 2-hit model of autism
28. The nope brain
29. Improving Quality of Life in Autism
30. Supporting autistic processing styles in therapeutic settings
31. Autistic Cognition