Talking/AAC and autistic regression/burnout?

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*I am talking about autistic regression, also called autistic burnout*

As i've posted here before, i am going through a regression right now. It has been quite "relaxing" in a way at the same time as being extremely frustrating.

Currently i am struggling not to loose the ability to speak as i fear that it would worsen my regression by a lot. Yet at the same time i am compelled to just take a break from speaking as it is using up a lot of my energy.



For my brief nonverbal moments that accompany meltdowns or shutdowns i have an AAC app set up for me to use so i wouldn't be without a way of communicating in case they were to happen.


Has anyone else had similar issues? Or does anyone have advice?

This has been on my mind a lot too recently for the same sorts of reasons. I am currently in the process of switching as much of my communication over to nonverbal means as I can, and away from verbal speech. I've posted about this here before. That means doing as many things by written means as I can, but also starting to take a harder line approach to norms - I am beginning to refuse to let others force me to speak, and instead, getting a lot better at sign language and letting that become my primary means of face-to-face communication. So people are going to have to put in more work to communicate with me - but I won't be continually forced to do something I hate doing just for other people's convenience anymore either. I have refused to communicate by phone for some months now, and that doesn't seem to be impacting a real lot on function.
I was nonverbal as a child, before relatives, teachers/schools etc bullied me into speaking. I went completely nonverbal again a few years ago after a severe breakdown. For months. I don't know if it's regression or that speaking was just something I was never comfortable with, but speech issues are more common now than it was. And I'm taking measures to accommodate myself. I also have a form of vocal dysphonia that makes speaking unreliable, unpleasant, and sometimes painful for me physically.
I believe if it is more comfortable for you to be nonverbal, then be nonverbal. Don't let yourself be forced into it, if it's too much for you. You can take measures to make verbal speech less of a norm for you.
If you want someone who is in a similar situation to you about the same issue to bounce thoughts off, then you're welcome to PM me.