The Acute Protocol

A step-by-step roadmap to recovering from autistic burnout by listening to your nervous system.

A woman's hands hold a phone showing the Acute Protocol online course by Layla Messner.
An exhausted woman lies face down on a bed, on top of a fuzzy blanket, wearing a white bathrobe.

“I used to be able to push through, until one day I hit a wall.”

Have you ever wished you had a friend to sit beside you through this?What if that friend had been exactly where you are — stuck, exhausted, struggling to do the most basic things?What if that friend had spent years studying the nervous system?What if she could just… talk you through it. Gently. In short little audios. One small step at a time.That’s the Acute Protocol.

I’ve been there…

My brain just wouldn’t brain. After a lifetime of masking and unmet support needs, I had used up every shred of energy my brain and body had. There was nothing left to give.I crashed. Hard. Losing skills. Stuck in bed. Struggling to do basic tasks. I’d hit the worst autistic burnout of my life, and there was no pushing through it this time.It was terrifying. I felt lost, wondering if I'd ever get back to who I used to be.But I'm a nervous system hacker. I used everything I learned in my master's degree to find my way out of autistic burnout. Then I created the map, so that you don't have to do it yourself.The map is the Acute Protocol.

A high-masking, late-diagnosed autistic woman in autistic burnout, a young woman in bed under a blanket, wearing a white bathrobe with a hood
A smiling young woman with long brown hair, wearing a polkadot dress, hiking boots, and a ball cap sits on a rock in the alpine

How I got my energy back

The Acute Protocol is the exact step-by-step process I used to go from stuck in bed, unable to work in my business, and struggling to do basic tasks...to getting my energy back.In this self-paced course, I’ll talk you through burnout recovery day-by-day, with gentle co-regulating audios.

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“Is the Acute Protocol right for me?”

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The Acute Protocol is made for you if…✔️ Autistic burnout is impacting your work or daily life
✔️ You’re taking time off to prioritize recovery
✔️ You want to recover as efficiently as possible
✔️ You have access to support to care for your dependents, including children or pets
✔️ You want burnout recovery support without a monthly membership
✔️ You prefer self-paced courses with no social interaction

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The Acute Protocol isn’t the right match for you right now, if…❌ You’re in crisis
❌ You have Major Depressive Disorder, Agoraphobia, or any physical or mental health condition that could me made worse by extended rest or alone time
❌ You’re in counseling and you don’t have your therapist’s approvalAre you in crisis?
Unable to pay your bills, bathe or feed yourself, or care for your dependents? Please contact crisis services in your local area.

Real World Wins

"I have also learned so much about autistic burnout — what it is, how it has affected me, and what can be done to manage it and not let it control me."
Eric Lewis"I have yet to find an autistic adult anywhere that is able to explain in such vivid detail. Thank you so much."
Anne"There’s all these systems of oppression around being autistic and neurodivergent, and we don’t see them. Layla helped me see these invisible things that were causing harm—like a lot of society stuff and my own habitual behaviors—that were keeping me trapped in the burnout cycle. That it’s not a personal failing, and I don’t actually have a choice but to take care of myself. We feel like neurotypical has been the bar, but she helped me see that that’s ridiculous and wrong."
FL Crandall

FAQ

Whimsical illustration of a tree shaped like a brain, showing signs of burnout by Layla Messner

“What’s included?”

✔️ Simple burnout recovery roadmap
✔️ Gentle, co-regulating audios
✔️ Just a few minutes per day
✔️ A full year of access ~ go at your own pace

“How long does it take?”

The timeline for burnout recovery is different for everyone.As a benchmark, remember that neurotypical burnout, which is generally considered less severe than autistic burnout, typically requires at least 3 months off work. Using the Acute Protocol, I got back to my normal level of functioning within 6 weeks, but your results will depend on your efforts, environment, and circumstances.

“What if I need more support?"

If your burnout is too severe, you may require additional support from a psychologist or occupational therapist. If you have co-occurring health conditions contributing to your exhaustion, you will need to coordinate care with your medical teamPlease Note: I am not a psychologist, counselor, or medical professional and the Acute Protocol is not designed to diagnose, treat, or prevent any health condition, including Autism Spectrum Disorder or clinically diagnosed burnout.

Your burnout recovery journey starts today.

There is a map out of burnout. You don't have to figure this out alone. Just press play. I'll talk you through the rest.✔️ Simple burnout recovery roadmap
✔️ Gentle, co-regulating audios
✔️ Just a few minutes per day
✔️ A full year of access ~ go at your own pace

Please note: Due to the nature of digital programs, we are unable to offer refunds for any reason.

Disclaimer: I am not a psychologist, counselor, or medical professional and the Acute Protocol is not designed to diagnose, treat, or prevent any health condition, including Autism Spectrum Disorder or clinically diagnosed burnout. Your results will depend on your actions and circumstances. For more details on whether the Acute Protocol is right for you, please click here.

© Layla Messner. All rights reserved.
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