Seed Talks: Autism & Burnout – with Dr Tom Nicholson

Discover why people with autism can be prone to burnout, and leave with actionable strategies to help prevent it. Followed by Q+A.

Burnout is a common and deeply challenging experience for many autistic adults, often driven by chronic stress and the weight of unrealistic expectations from a world that misunderstands neurodivergence.

In this insightful and thought-provoking talk, Dr. Tom Nicholson dives into the root causes of autistic burnout, shedding light on how autistic traits can amplify burnout risk in environments that fail to accommodate neurodivergent needs. Drawing on a rich blend of academic research, clinical insights, and his own lived experience as a neurodivergent (AuDHD) academic, Dr. Nicholson challenges us to rethink what it means to be autistic. This is more than a talk—it’s a rallying call to create a world that truly supports and empowers autistic adults.

Dr Tom Nicholson is an Assistant Professor of mental health nursing and a speaker, trainer, and advocate for neurodiversity and ADHD. Tom’s PhD project explores the lived experiences of parents whose children are undergoing ADHD assessment, listening to, and retelling their changing stories over a period of two years: From waiting list, to diagnosis, to living with a diagnosis. Tom is a registered mental health nurse with experience working within the neurodevelopmental assessment service within the Children and Young People’s service. Diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, Tom uses his personal lived experience of ADHD alongside his clinical and academic background to give a multitude of perspectives to his work.