Continuing Education for Psychologists
APA-Approved & Neurodiversity-Affirming

Weekly Wednesday Webinar Series

Autism Acceptance in Action:
Real Tools for Real Life

Running on Empty: Recognizing and Recovering from Autistic Burnout

Week 2: April 8, 2026 

This webinar on Zoom is FREE to attend.

Option to add 1 CE Credit
for a fee of $35.00

Running on Empty:

Recognizing and Recovering from Autistic Burnout

Shift from "fixing behaviors" to understanding needs, strengths, & meaningful support.
Write your awesome label here.

FREE
Live Webinar

Recorded Session Available after 04/08/26

April 8

12 PM EST
&
7 PM EST


1 CE Credit

(Optional purchase)

$35

Introductory

Program design to build foundational understanding of an emerging area of knowledge.

1 hour session

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What you'll gain...

This course examines autistic burnout as a distinct and often underrecognized phenomenon characterized by exhaustion, reduced functioning, and increased sensitivity resulting from chronic stress and environmental mismatch. Participants will explore contributing factors such as masking, sensory overload, and sustained demands that exceed capacity. The course emphasizes differentiation from depression and other conditions, and introduces practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies for recovery and prevention.

Knowledge

Differentiate autistic burnout from depression, anxiety, and occupational burnout based on presentation and etiology.

Understanding

Identify at least three contributing factors to autistic burnout, including masking and environmental mismatch.

Tools

Describe at least three strategies to support recovery and reduce recurrence of autistic burnout.
Week 1: Understanding Autism

Course Outline

0:00 – 0:05 (5 min) — Introduction & Orientation

  • Presenter introduction, credentials, and disclosures
  • Review of learning objectives
  • Overview of session structure

 

0:05 – 0:15 (10 min) — Defining Autistic Burnout

  • Definition of autistic burnout
  • Key features: exhaustion, reduced functioning, increased sensitivity
  • Differentiation from depression and occupational burnout

 

0:15 – 0:30 (15 min) — Contributing Factors

  • Masking and camouflaging
  • Sensory overload
  • Chronic environmental mismatch
  • Cumulative stress and demand-capacity imbalance

 

0:30 – 0:45 (15 min) — First Person Case Application

  • Presentation of real-life scenario
  • Identification of burnout vs. misdiagnosis
  • Risks of misinterpretation

 

0:45 – 0:55 (10 min) — Recovery & Prevention Strategies

  • Reducing demands and expectations
  • Sensory regulation and environmental adjustments
  • Supporting autonomy and pacing

 

0:55 – 1:00 (5 min) — Summary & Closing

  • Review of key concepts
  • Revisit learning objectives
  • Final reflection: One actionable change


LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

NADD-CC

Competency-Based Clinical Certification from NADD

PARENT

Parent of Autistic Adult
Meet the instructor

Maleita Olson, LCSW, NADD-CC

Maleita Olson, LCSW, is a co-founder and former executive director of Spectra Support Services, LLC. She is a licensed clinical social worker in PA. During Maleita’s 30 plus year career, she has worked for in community-based, institutional, government and medical settings, with a primary focus on serving individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Maleita has a master of social work degree from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. She is a certified clinician with the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD). She is a frequent presenter at local, state, and national conferences on topics related to autism spectrum disorder, the transition to adulthood, and impacts of disability on the family.
Maleita lives in Springfield, PA with her husband and four children, three of whom are neurodivergent. She is a past president of ASCEND: the Asperger and Autism Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Arc of Delaware County, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Autism Society of America.

PHY

Physicist

NADD-DSP

Competency-Based Direct Support Professional

ADVOCATE

Autism
Self-Advocate
Meet the instructor

Timothy Olson, BS

Timothy Olson is an autistic adult, neurodiverse public speaker, and advocate focused on mental health awareness and the recognition of neurodiversity. Diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at age five, he received support throughout his schooling for his giftedness, autism, and ADHD, and went on to earn a degree in Physics from Elon University.


Since 2019, Tim has represented autism advocates on panels at his university and at local conferences, including Next Steps Into Adulthood hosted by the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He currently works as a peer mentor supporting young adults with Autism and/or intellectual disabilities with significant support needs, blending lived experience with professional insight from his work as a Direct Support Professional.


In addition to his advocacy, Tim is an emerging environmental professional with a focus on sustainability and reducing carbon footprints. He is passionate about public transportation and the environment, and enjoys cycling, music, and performing as a member of a local acapella group in the greater Philadelphia area.

Mission

The Moringa Institute advances professional excellence by providing psychologists, master’s level clinicians, and students with innovative opportunities to discover and integrate evidence-based practices into their work. Rooted in decades of experience and a commitment to holistic, lifespan-focused care, we strengthen professionals’ knowledge, skills, and frameworks to better serve individuals and communities.

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