What is an autistic shutdown?

An autistic shutdown differs from a meltdown. Meltdowns are expressed externally. Often confused with tantrums, they are a reaction to intense feelings of being overwhelmed, distressed, or dysregulated. The intense response of a meltdown causes an autistic person to temporarily lose all control of their behavior. An autistic shutdown is internal, a more muted response to extreme overload or stress. Autistic brains and bodies literally shut down because of high levels of stress, overwhelm and exhaustion.

What are the signs of an autistic shutdown?

The shutdown process is almost entirely automatic, with many autistic people not aware of it happening in the moment. Autistic people’s shutdowns will vary and have different warning signs; however, there are some common signs. The author of the Authentically Emily blog created this comprehensive list:

• Extreme tiredness
• Retreating to somewhere quiet or dark
• Not being able to move
• Not speaking
• Complete loss of energy
• Unresponsiveness
• Staring blankly
• Loss of outward emotion
• Lack of coherent sentences
• Withdrawing
• Lying down while awake
• Numbness

What are the triggers of autistic shutdowns?

Triggers will vary from person to person based on their sensitivities and needs. The Reframing Autism website has this list of possible triggers:

• Sensory triggers
• Stress
• Unmet needs that the person is unable to communicate
• A disruptive work, school or home environment
• Inconsistency or change in routine
• Lack of sleep
• Life changes such as marriage, births, moving house, changing jobs etc.
• Co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression
• Hormone changes
• Chronic pain, illness or other disability
• Reactions to new medications
• Lack of control over an element of life

Note –  Autistic shutdown triggers are often the same as meltdown triggers. Whether the response becomes a meltdown or a shutdown will depend on the person.

How can we support an autistic person who is experiencing a shutdown?

Knowing how to respond during an autistic shutdown can be helpful. It’s important to remember that because every autistic person is unique, what works for one person might not work for another. Here are some general strategies you can try if someone is experiencing a shutdown.

• Leave an overstimulating environment – Guide the person gently to a quiet, low-stimulus environment. Keep talking to a minimum and avoid touch as these two things can increase arousal levels.
• Give personal space – Keep a physical distance and allow alone time to recover.
• Support immersion/flow states for regulation, recovery and recharging  – Being immersed in enjoyable, interesting activities help with recovery and recharging the batteries. Flow-states for some people can only happen after spending time in a safe space.
• Reduce demands – Demands have the potential to be a point of conflict, especially when someone is overwhelmed.
• Identify anxiety triggers and remove them  – Sometimes these triggers may not be what you may think. For example, my daughter ‘s anxiety spikes when toddlers are around cats and pet their fur backwards. A recent trip to a farm that had two friendly dogs caused a shutdown and recovery time that lasted close to 9 hours.
• Provide calming strategies that are helpful – Things like yoga, coloring, listening to music, light exercise, using sensory tools can be calming.

How can an autistic person take care of themselves after a shutdown?

Here are a few suggestions to try. Every person will need something different depending on their needs and preferences.

• Get plenty of rest and sleep.
• Drink water to stay hydrated.
• Eat your favorite or comfort foods.
• Apply a cold compress to the face or neck or splash water on your face.
• Engage in interests and passions.
• Figure our your triggers and develop a plan to avoid them. Ex. My daughter no longer goes to the Cat Cafe as she knows there will be small children there who don’t know how to handle cats. She has found other safe situations/places to interact with cats.
• Be gentle with yourself. Don’t blame yourself for your feelings and reactions.
• Surround yourself with comforting items.
• Limit communication until you feel alright again. Maybe text or write messages instead of speaking.

Remember that shutdowns are an involuntary response that an autistic person does not have control over. We need to be compassionate and not judgmental –  change our lens. Because different people will have different triggers and responses, the best thing to do is to discuss their needs when they’re calm.  Engaging in regular exercise and physical activity can help regulate emotions, reducing the likelihood of a shutdown. Make sure the environment supports a person’s needs, such as the need for predictability. Understand a person’s sensory profile and accommodate them to avoid sensory overload.  Low arousal approaches can keep a person calm and regulated while fostering good relationships and trust, the cornerstones of happiness and well-being.

References

All About Autistic Shutdowns: A Guide for Allies. Reframing Autism

Katy, E. (June 6). Autistic Shutdowns. Authentically Emily

Marschall, A. (July 10, 2024). Navigating Autistic Shutdowns, From an Autistic Psychologist. VeryWell Mind

Marshall, C. Falling Into Shutdown: An Autistic Journey Beyond Overwhelm. Reframing Autism