Shutdown: What Is It?IN BRIEF
Shutdown (often called "shutdown" in English) happens when an autistic person is no longer able to interact or move as usual. Some people describe it as feeling like they are in a dream or moving through jelly. It usually occurs when an autistic person has exceeded their limits. It is not their fault, and they cannot simply snap out of it. The best approach is to wait it out, offering them rest in a quiet place or a calming activity.

What Is a Shutdown?
Shutdown is one possible consequence of sensory or emotional overload in autism. It happens when an autistic person has had to compensate for too long in an environment that does not suit their needs. A shutdown can feel like an emotional and sensory implosion or explosion from the inside.
An autistic person experiencing a shutdown may seem slower, as if they are trying to move through jelly. They may not respond to their name, struggle to communicate in their usual ways, or do so much more slowly and with less variation. In some cases, they may drop to the floor or remain completely still. Some may engage in stimming (self-stimulatory behaviors) like hand movements, rocking, or holding onto the end of their sleeve.
Because a shutdown is an intense emotional state, autistic people in this state often cry, hiccup, or cough, which can be signs of distress.
It is useless to tell an autistic person in shutdown to “make an effort” or to “stop making a big deal out of nothing.” If they could stop their shutdown with a magic wand, they would.
How to Help
People witnessing a shutdown can take certain steps to help the autistic person get through it. Patience is key—everything will be slower. If the autistic person is able to communicate, you can ask them directly what might help. If they do not respond, speak very slowly, or stutter, this is normal. Do not assume they are doing it on purpose.
Shutdowns usually happen due to overload, when the autistic person and their body need an environment with fewer overwhelming sensory stimuli and a predictable routine. In general, providing a quiet place to rest is helpful. The person might want to stop whatever activity they were engaged in when the shutdown started—or they might prefer to continue it at their own pace.

Support During Shutdowns?
Every autistic person is different, and each autistic person experiencing a shutdown will handle it in their own way. Some may need to be alone, while others may want company.
It can be tempting to offer physical contact to someone who seems distressed and is crying. However, this can make the shutdown even harder for many autistic people. Always make sure to get consent before any physical approach. If the person does not want to be touched, do not insist.
Some autistic people in shutdown may prefer contact with a soft object, like a stuffed animal or a blanket, or they may want to be near a pet (as long as the pet is comfortable with it—cats, for instance, may not always agree). Finally, some autistic people, though less commonly, might actually prefer physical contact.
Caution
Not all hugs are the same! Light touches and movement can cause sensory overload. In general, if you are offering a hug and have never discussed preferences with the person, go for a firm hug (adjusted to their size) and avoid stroking or rubbing.
Please note
No one is ever obligated to give or receive a hug.
The Link Between Shutdown and Meltdown
Autistic people who experience overload may also enter a meltdown, which is a sensory and emotional explosion that results in outward behaviors. Meltdowns involve intense sensations and emotions. Sometimes, an autistic person may experience a shutdown immediately after a meltdown or within hours or a day afterward. This is normal.
I need a 'tight hug' when I’m in meltdown, especially in public. I think my brain has registered that if someone gives me a 'tight hug,' it means at least one person isn’t judging me and accepts me in that emotional state. That’s a strong sign of potential safety. I’ve accepted hugs from strangers or people I barely knew. But I have my own criteria: if several people offer, I’ll choose someone based on two things—height (I’m small, so I want a tight hug from a small person) and clothing (because feeling someone’s bare skin is weird)
Catherine, autistic
Emotions After a Shutdown
After a shutdown, an autistic person may feel negative emotions, especially if it happened in public or if someone around them expressed judgment. They may feel humiliated, embarrassed, or have lower self-esteem.
However, there is no shame in experiencing a shutdown. It is simply a sign that the body has reached its limits. It is possible to reflect on what happened beforehand to try to prevent it in the future.
When Pushing Yourself Leads to Shutdown
As human beings with goals and dreams, it is normal to push ourselves. We often hear phrases like “push your limits” or “step out of your comfort zone.” And yes, stepping out of our comfort zone can be a good thing when working toward our goals.
However, pushing too far, too long, or too fast beyond one’s comfort zone can lead to a shutdown. It can be frustrating and even humiliating to experience a shutdown during or after engaging in something deeply enjoyable, like a sports class or attending a show.
When a shutdown happens in the context of pushing oneself toward personal goals, there is something valuable to take away from it. First, it likely means that the person has reached further toward their goal than before. Second, they have discovered a new limit. Understanding one’s limits is beneficial—it allows a person to step out of their comfort zone without harm.
As Boucar Diouf once said, no one can truly “push beyond themselves”—it is physically impossible. The key to remember is that no one can go faster than their own pace. This is just as true for autistic people as it is for non-autistic people. However, everyone can go further—at their own rhythm.