Episode 46: Autism and the Social Battery: Helping Kids Balance Energy to Manage Day To Day Life with Dr Alex Leedham
Update: 2025-09-26
Description
In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, I'm joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Alex Leedham to explore the idea of the "social battery" in autism — a simple but powerful way of understanding why children with autism can so easily become overwhelmed.
Alex explains how everyday demands, from noisy classrooms to social chit-chat, can drain energy far more quickly for autistic children than for their peers. She introduces the idea of creating a battery-draining list and a battery-charging list - practical tools families can use to spot triggers, plan ahead, and build in restorative breaks.
We talk about how parents can help children tune into their own needs, develop emotional literacy, and learn what really recharges them — whether that's quiet time with headphones, preparing in advance for transitions, or connecting with close friends over a shared interest. It's different for everyone.
If you've ever wondered how to protect your autistic child's energy and prevent overwhelm, this episode offers both clarity and practical strategies you can start using straight away.
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