Knowledge about Autistic shutdowns gives you power to know when they are going to occur and how to recover from them.
A shutdown is a protective response that occurs when an Autistic adult is overwhelmed by sensory, emotional, or cognitive input.
While meltdowns are a more obvious reaction to being overwhelmed, Shutdowns are a more muted response.
A shutdown is a coping mechanism that protects us from further stress and stimulation.
We Autistic adults can experience shutdowns for several reasons including:
Sensory Overload
Being overwhelmed by excessive sensory input like loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, or crowded spaces, can cause Autistic adults to essentially “shut down”.
Overwhelming Social Situations
When an Autistic adult finds themselves in any scenario with high levels of sensory input, unpredictable social dynamics, large crowds, loud noises, bright lights, or a lack of structure, they suddenly find themselves in an overwhelming social situation.
Examples of a overwhelming social situation include a busy party, a crowded conference, or a spontaneous group outing with little prior information.
As Autistic adults, when we experiences an overwhelming social situation, our brain can become overloaded with sensory and emotional input, leading to a “shutdown”.
Stress
Along with sensory overload and overwhelming social situations. Unrealistic expectations, life changes, communication challenges, and Catastrophizing can cause stress for Autistic adults.
When stress becomes too much for us to handle, it can cause us to shut down.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring conditions for Autistic adults with up to 50% also meeting CRITERIA for anxiety.
There are several factors that can cause anxiety including: sensory processing difficulties, uncertainty, social situations, difficulty identifying emotions, feeling misunderstood and masking.
As with stress, when anxiety becomes too much for us to handle, it can cause us to shut down.
Sudden Disruption to Routine
Routines are very important to many Autistic adults as routines provide us with predictability and structure in our lives.
A sudden disruption in a routine for an Autistic adult refers to an unexpected change in our daily schedule or familiar pattern of activities.
Even small deviations from our routines can be difficult to manage and have the potential for us to experience a shutdown.
Warning signs of an Autistic shutdown
There are several warning signs that an Autistic adult is about to shut down and they include:
- Emotional overwhelm: Feeling anxious, irritated, or confused
- Sensory overload: Engaging in stimming behaviors or pulling away from activities
- Physical exhaustion: Feeling lethargic, having a headache, or experiencing stomach issues
- Dissociation: Feeling cut off from or numb to emotions
- Retreating: Wanting to hide away somewhere dark and alone or curl up in bed
- Communication difficulties: Having trouble speaking or making eye contact
- Loss of skills: Forgetting simple tasks or behaviors
How to Tell if an Autistic Adult is Experiencing a Shutdown
During shutdown we often appear quiet, disengaged or unresponsive due to our nervous system reaching its limit.
When you are experiencing a shutdown, you may withdraw from social interactions, stimuli, feel emotionally numb or detached, and feel like they suddenly have no energy at all and just want to sleep.
Additionally, during a shutdown, Autistic adults like you and me may find it difficult to speak and in some cases we may become unresponsive. During shutdown we may also experience a reduction in physical movement or even become still as well as experiencing struggles to process information or respond to stimuli.
How Should Autistic Adults Respond to a Shutdown
During a shutdown, we should retreat to a calm, low stimulation environment. Be sure to look for a quiet, dark space with minimal social interaction.
How Allies of Autistic Adults Can Help During a Shutdown
Our allies who wish to support us during a shutdown should try to provide us with a calm, quiet space with minimal sensory input. Allies should allow us time to recover without pressure, communicate with us gently, respect our need for space, and reassure us that our feelings are valid.
When the shutdown is over, take some time to identify potential triggers beforehand and develop coping mechanisms to prevent shutdowns from occurring as often. You can do this on your own or with the help and support of your allies.
