High Masking ND Burnout: Garrett Wood on A³ Framework & Nervous System Success | Adulting with Autism

High-masking ND grind burning you out? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April tackles sustainable success for neurodivergent high-achievers with Garrett Wood, National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach/clinical hypnotherapist/executive functioning specialist and founder of Gnosis Therapy. With 18+ years helping masking professionals (autism/ADHD), Garrett's A³ Framework (Assess, Accommodate, Align) bridges nervous-system needs/environment demands—focusing on sensory intelligence/bio-budgets/emotional regulation/core beliefs/attachment/values/executive functioning to end boom-bust cycles.

Key insights:

• High-masking exhaustion: Socialization gaps (hiding "not okay" parts); safe environments reduce friction—authentic self without danger.
• Sensory intelligence: Preferences/thresholds (too much/little stimulation); interoception (body cues like hunger/anxiety); accommodations (headphones/compression/breaks/sensory backpack).
• Bio-budgets/time under tension: ND shifts (16-18 hrs masking vs. NT 4-5 hrs); small reps/recovery (car breaks/garden/dust books) prevent overload.
• Autistic vs. NT burnout: Intensity/scale difference (ND extreme effort); recovery longer (6-7 months vs. quick)—focus well-being (not grit/willpower myth).
• Hypnotherapy: Self-hypnosis (daydream state for mindset/social/sleep); practice positive experiences (e.g., anxiety scenarios going well).
• A³ for control: Assess needs (triggers/supports), Accommodate (e.g., oils/masks), Align (values as guardrails); early overload signs (tension/shutdown).
• Workplace/young adults: Advocate (ROI from inclusion); trial/error (hot/cold days); natural responses (eat/move/sleep) over deadlines.

For autistic/ADHD young adults/entrepreneurs in masking fatigue, Garrett's vibe: "Sustainable success through well-being—not expense." Free resources at gnosistherapy.com.

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Episode: High Masking ND Burnout with Garrett Wood

[00:00] Intro: ND High-Masking Exhaustion Trap [00:30] Garrett's Expertise: A³ Framework for Sustainable Success [02:00] Authentic Self Without Friction: Safe Environments Reduce Masking [05:00] Sensory Intelligence: Thresholds/Preferences & Interoception Cues [08:00] Bio-Budgets/Time Under Tension: ND vs. NT Recovery (Small Breaks) [11:00] Autistic vs. NT Burnout: Intensity/Scale Differences (6-7 Months Recovery) [14:00] Hypnotherapy: Self-Hypnosis for Mindset/Social/Sleep (Daydream Practice) [17:00] A³ in Action: Assess/Accommodate/Align (Triggers/Supports/Values) [20:00] Workplace/Young Adults: Advocacy & Early Overload Signs (Anxiety/Shutdown) [23:00] Outro: Burnout Breakthrough Takeaways & CTAs

Resources:

• Gnosis Therapy: gnosistherapy.com (coaching/A³ framework)
• LinkedIn/Instagram: @gnosistheapy
• Linktree:  (socials/shop/Podbean)

Subscribe on Podbean/YouTube for ND success tips! Share your masking hack in comments. #NDHighMasking #A3FrameworkAutism #SustainableBurnoutRecovery #SensoryND #HypnotherapyADHD #AdultingWithAutism