Navigating Autistic Shutdowns, From an Autistic Psychologist

If you're an autistic person, you already know that sensory input can quickly become overwhelming and hard to cope with. According to the diagnostic criteria, autistic people can have heightened responses to stimuli compared to neurotypical or non-autistic neurodivergent individuals. For example, a smell, sound, or light that someone who is not autistic might not even notice can be overwhelming to an autistic person.

Sometimes, sensory experiences can become so intense that the autistic person has to mentally withdraw from their environment. If they are unable to leave the overstimulating space or regulate physically, they can become depleted and may experience a shutdown.

Luckily, if you learn the causes and warning signs for autistic shutdowns, it'll become easier to prevent them and manage them when they do occur. Ideally this article can help you or an autistic loved one meet your sensory needs and offer support where needed.

What Does an Autistic Shutdown Look Like?

As with all things, different autistic people’s shutdowns will vary and have different warning signs. However, there are some common traits that you can be aware of. If you experience autistic shutdowns, you can reflect on signs that came up prior to a shutdown (after you are fully regulated and out of the shutdown, of course). Noticing patterns can help you recognize when one might occur in the future and identify triggers to avoid or mitigate.

Mike L., an autistic individual, shared that during shutdowns, “I still will lose the ability to speak. It's like my brain is racing through ideas I want to say, but I can't find ways to make it make sense. They all get stuck like a bunch of people trying to walk out the door at the same time. That loop just won't stop and gets worse the stronger I feel.“

Taylor, another autistic person, shared: “In a shutdown I suddenly can’t talk or move. It can look scary if you don’t know what’s happening.”

Ashley Cairns, licensed counselor and autistic adult, said: “I get quiet because it feels almost like the world is swirling around me. My heart rate increases, I get flush and just want comfort. I want to be home, safe in my comfort zone and away from whatever is triggering me.”

Shutdowns can also manifest physically. The autistic person might experience sudden exhaustion, loss of coordination, slowed movement, or loss of communication skills. You may feel physically numb or dissociate.

When an individual is experiencing a shutdown, they might flee the triggering situation or completely freeze, being unable to move or speak. They can withdraw both mentally and physically, with the specific behaviors varying based on the individual.

Causes and Triggers of Autistic Shutdowns

Triggers for autistic shutdowns vary based on the individual’s sensitivities and sensory needs. Two autistic people can have completely opposite responses to the same stimulus. As such, there is not one list of triggers or causes that encompasses every autistic experience. With that said, there are some common triggers that can increase the risk of a shutdown.

Sensory input (sounds, smells, lights, textures, et cetera) can trigger a shutdown when the individual is particularly sensitive to that input. Unexpected changes or disruptions in routine can bring on a shutdown as well.

Additionally, if the individual is under a higher-than-typical amount of stress, has not had sufficient rest, or is experiencing physical illness, they may have a lower threshold of tolerance for overwhelm. Intense emotional experiences can also be a trigger, like becoming upset during a disagreement.

Reducing triggers can reduce the chances that the autistic person will experience a shutdown. At the same time, it would be impossible to guarantee that there will be no unexpected schedule changes. Support and coping skills can alleviate overwhelm and reduce the impact of the shutdown.

The Impact of Autistic Shutdowns

Autistic shutdowns can significantly interfere with mental well-being and the ability to complete activities of daily living. When someone is in a shutdown, they may be fully unable to engage in coping skills or self-care behaviors.

In addition, if an individual experiences frequent shutdowns, they may be at increased risk for burnout. This is in part because exposure to the shutdown triggers wear the individual down over time, and because the experience of a shutdown is incredibly draining. According to Taylor, “It can take days to recover because [shutdowns are] exhausting.”

Ashley Cairns shared: “It's embarrassing if I can be honest. People act like it's a choice. Like the things that limit me are things I choose in life. Of course I don't choose this. So know that I'm experiencing something absolutely horrifying and to be this vulnerable in front of others is a true act of courage.”

Shutdowns impact the individual’s skills in the moment and can wear them down in the long term, causing burnout episodes that cause skill loss and mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

Shutdowns vs. Meltdowns

Both shutdowns and meltdowns are a response to sensory overwhelm and overstimulation.

While not a perfect analogy, meltdowns and shutdowns can be likened to the fight or flight response: when someone is backed into a corner, they may experience an automatic, involuntary physiological response that can cause them to either try to fight their way out of the situation or attempt to flee.

When someone is experiencing a meltdown, they may appear aggressive towards themselves, others, or property. During a meltdown, the autistic person is not in control and may do or say things that are out of character.

During a shutdown, on the other hand, they may withdraw mentally or attempt to physically flee the environment. They might lose the ability to communicate in ways that normally work for them.

Coping Strategies for Autistic Shutdowns

Just like shutdown triggers vary based on individual needs, different autistic people will benefit from different coping strategies before, during, and after a shutdown.

However, some skills that might be beneficial include:

• Stimming. Autistics often engage in repetitive movements called stims to self-regulate. This can reduce distress from overstimulation.
• Keeping a sensory bag. Having sensory items on hand that you know help you self-regulate can allow for self-regulation that can prevent shutdowns.
• Going to a safe, sensory-friendly location. Getting away from the stimuli that triggered the meltdown can give you space to get out of the shutdown.

Additionally, steps for preventing a shutdown can include:

• Scheduling end times for events that can be draining for you.
• Having a code in place to indicate that you need to leave or that you are approaching a shutdown.
• Taking breaks, either on a scheduled or as-needed basis, from activities that may be activating.

Supporting Autistic People During Shutdowns

Allyship from our non-autistic loved ones is crucial for preventing and coping with shutdowns. First, of course, it is vital to listen to the autistic person you support and tailor your response based on what they specifically need and want.

• Pay attention to communication needs. Since shutdowns can interfere with communication, be accommodating and supportive of the autistic person’s communication needs. Some autistics report that ACC devices are beneficial during a shutdown, so keeping this available can ensure that the individual’s needs are met in the event that they lose speech.
• Identify cues that they are struggling. Similarly, choosing cues or codes in advance can allow the autistic person to indicate that they are struggling. Mike L shared that it can help to “come up with a strategy of find something to say, even if it's ‘I don't have any words’ so we know what's going on, and we can try to decompress and calm down.”
• Let them leave if they need to. Ashley Cairns’s advice for supporting autistics around shutdowns is powerful as well: “If someone says I need to leave somewhere, respect that. Respect how much it took for them to come. It takes a lot of energy to remember all the appropriate social cues and to perform them.”