Spoon Theory (Energy Accounting)/SPOON THEE-oh-ree/
A metaphor for limited daily energy (“spoons”) used to plan, pace, and communicate capacity.
Andy says:
Imagine your day’s energy as a bunch of tokens. Each task spends some; rest and supports add some back.
Detailed Explanation
Spoon theory helps people communicate invisible limits and prioritize.
It complements:
- Practical pacing (breaks, buffers)
- Accommodations and AT
- Boundary setting and saying no
It’s not clinical, but widely used across chronic illness and neurodivergent communities.
Community Context
Used to plan days, set boundaries, and reduce shame around rest. Pairs well with burnout prevention and executive function scaffolds.
Quick Tips
- Budget spoons in the morning; guard a recovery block
- Trade: if you spend more now, cancel or reduce later
- Add supports (quiet space, body doubling) to reduce spoon cost
Do / Don't
- Do: name limits, ask for adjustments
- Do: schedule high‑cost tasks in high‑energy windows
- Don't: overbook; don’t spend tomorrow’s spoons today
Scientific Context
Metaphor aligned with pacing/energy conservation research; psychological benefits from agency and boundary setting are documented.
Language Notes
Other metaphors: battery, fuel, coins. Choose what resonates.
Related Terms
Autistic Burnout
A state of intense physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion experienced by autistic people.
Executive Dysfunction
Difficulties with a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.
Time Blindness
Time blindness is the difficulty sensing how much time has passed or accurately estimating how long tasks will take, making it hard to manage schedules and deadlines.
Accommodations
Changes to the environment, tools, timing, or expectations that remove barriers so a person can participate on an equal basis.
Sources
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