People react to feeling overwhelmed in many different ways. Lack of sleep, loud environments, and stressful situations can all trigger reactions that are inconvenient at best. An autistic shutdown can be triggered by emotional, social, and physical stimuli that become too much for the brain and body to manage. Here’s what you need to know about the triggers, signs, and tools to navigate autistic shutdown in adults.
An autistic shutdown is a physiological response to overload, be it physical, emotional, or psychological. It happens when the brain and body reach their capacity for stress and perform a type of defensive maneuver.
To the untrained eye, a shutdown might be hard to spot. A person becomes still and quiet, usually struggling to interact with the world around them. They may shut themselves in a quiet place, sit motionless in one place, or refuse to engage with others.
Shutdowns are the body’s natural response to overstimulation, but they can be an incredibly challenging part of the autistic experience. For autistic adults, it’s important to understand why shutdowns happen so they can recognize the warning signs, navigate the results, and feel better, faster.
Both children and adults experience shutdowns, but the triggers may be different. For adults, shutdowns can be a response to any number of stimuli or a combination of multiple factors. Stress, cognitive overload, and significant life events can all contribute to overwhelming feelings that cause a person to withdraw into themselves.
Both are responses to overwhelming situations or circumstances, but they are quite distinct. Autism meltdowns tend to be more noticeable, as they can include crying, screaming, and throwing things. It’s for these reasons that meltdowns might be erroneously identified as tantrums, but they are an involuntary response to unbearable feelings.
Shutdowns can seem like the opposite of meltdowns, but they come from the same sense of overwhelm. Shutdowns can be much more subtle and hard to notice, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the signs. They are a survival mechanism meant to protect an individual from harm. The person experiencing a shutdown will often be quiet and withdrawn rather than loud and violent.
Frequent meltdowns and shutdowns can point to burnout, which might last for days or even weeks.
Shutdowns can look different from person to person, but there are some distinct signs to look for. Autistic shutdown symptoms include:
When someone shuts down, they don’t respond to external stimuli as they normally would. In these cases, it’s important to practice patience, empathy, and no small measure of compassion.
Shutdowns can be scary, exhausting, and frustrating, but there are ways to navigate them. You may need to try a few different things before you discover what works best for you, but here are some skills and strategies that can help:
Life with autism can come with some unique challenges; that’s why you deserve unique, personalized support. At NeuroNav, we understand that everyone’s story is unique, and we are here to help you write yours.
The Self-Determination Program (SDP) can help eligible Californians with disabilities get the support they need to meet their goals. With the SDP, you can have more say in the services you receive, and our independent facilitation services can help. Take the first step towards a more fulfilling future and schedule your free consultation today!