#8 - Understanding burnout in our young people with Dr Naomi Fisher
04/07/25 • 44 min
Dr. Naomi Fisher joins host Leisa Reichelt and School Can’t Australia director Tiffany Westphal to explore how school can contribute to burnout in young people. They discuss recognizing burnout, distinguishing it from anxiety or depression, and what parents can do to help.
Dr. Fisher, a clinical psychologist specializing in child development, trauma, and self-directed education, supports parents of neurodivergent children struggling in traditional schooling. She advocates for alternative education approaches that prioritize autonomy and well-being. Her books, including Changing Our Minds and A Different Way to Learn, empower parents to rethink education, while her latest, The Teenager's Guide to Burnout, offers essential guidance on stress and recovery.
Recommended Resources:
- Naomi’s website (books, courses, webinars) - https://naomifisher.co.uk/
- Think Again: Naomi’s substack/newsletter - https://naomicfisher.substack.com
- School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
- Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.
Dr. Naomi Fisher joins host Leisa Reichelt and School Can’t Australia director Tiffany Westphal to explore how school can contribute to burnout in young people. They discuss recognizing burnout, distinguishing it from anxiety or depression, and what parents can do to help.
Dr. Fisher, a clinical psychologist specializing in child development, trauma, and self-directed education, supports parents of neurodivergent children struggling in traditional schooling. She advocates for alternative education approaches that prioritize autonomy and well-being. Her books, including Changing Our Minds and A Different Way to Learn, empower parents to rethink education, while her latest, The Teenager's Guide to Burnout, offers essential guidance on stress and recovery.
Recommended Resources:
- Naomi’s website (books, courses, webinars) - https://naomifisher.co.uk/
- Think Again: Naomi’s substack/newsletter - https://naomicfisher.substack.com
- School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
- Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.
Previous Episode
#7 - Lived Experience - Connecting with passion to overcome burnout with Emma Gilmour
In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt interviews Emma Gilmour, mum to two neurodivergent teens. Emma shares her experience supporting her younger daughter through her journey through discovering her neurodivergence, her School Can’t experience and autistic burnout, and how connecting with passion while reducing demands has helped her daughter to find her way back.
Content warning: includes discussion of self harm and suicidal thoughts, though not discussed in detail. Take care when listening and please reach out for support if you need it.
Emma’s recommended resources:
- Kristy Forbes - In Tune with PDA - https://www.kristyforbes.com.au/pda
- Eliza Fricker’s books - https://missingthemark.co.uk
- Dr Naomi Fisher (books, webinars, courses) - https://naomifisher.co.uk/
- Viv Dawes - Autistic Burnout resources - https://www.autisticadvocate.co.uk/autistic-burnout
- School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
- Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.
Next Episode
#9 - Lived Experience - Trusting our guts and tuning out the noise with Jennie Plummer
In this Lived Experience episode we meet Jennie Plummer who shares her experience of supporting youngest daughter, Bethany, through her School Can’t Experience. Including her ADHD and Autism diagnosis, burnout, and equine supported recovery. Along the way Jennie learned to listen, trust her gut and tune out the loud opinions of others around her.
- School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
- Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected]
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.
The School Can't Experience - #8 - Understanding burnout in our young people with Dr Naomi Fisher
Transcript
Hello and welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast. I'm Leisa Reichelt and this podcast is brought to you by the School Can't Australia community. Caring for a young person who is struggling to attend School Can be a stressful and isolating experience, but you are not alone. Thousands of parents across Australia and many more around the world face similar challenges and experiences every day. We are joined today by a very special guest
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