Meet Jared R.

Autistic burnout has long been a silent struggle for many in the autism community. A deeply exhausting experience marked by persistent fatigue, social withdrawal and challenges navigating daily life, it has often gone unrecognized and misunderstood. Now, Jared Richards, a doctoral student at Drexel University and one of the inaugural recipients of Autism Speaks’ Predoctoral Fellowship for Autistic Scientists, is shining a light on this issue.

Through their research, Jared aims to scientifically define autistic burnout and create a self-report tool that can help autistic adults, clinicians and researchers better understand and support those facing this all-too-common—but often overlooked—experience.