What Is a Shutdown?IN BRIEF
Shutdown is when an autistic person is no longer able to interact and move the way they usually do. Some people describe this state as feeling like they’re in a dream or moving through jelly. It usually happens when an autistic person has gone past their limits. It’s not their fault, and they can’t snap out of it on their own. The best thing to do is wait it out, offering them rest in a calm place or a soothing activity.
Shutdown
Shutdown is one of the possible outcomes of sensory or emotional overload in autism. It happens when an autistic person has had to cope for too long in an environment that isn’t suited to their needs. Shutdown feels like an emotional and sensory explosion or implosion happening on the inside. An autistic person in shutdown may seem slower, as if they’re trying to move through jelly. They might not respond to their name, struggle to communicate the way they usually do, or communicate very slowly and with less variety. Some people in shutdown will simply drop to the ground or freeze in place. Some will use stims (self-stimulatory behaviors) like moving their hands, rocking, or holding the edge of their sleeve. Because it’s such an intense emotional state, autistic people in shutdown will often cry at the same time, or have small hiccups or a cough. These are signs of emotional distress.
There’s no point telling an autistic person in shutdown to “try harder” or “stop making a big deal out of nothing.” If they could end it with a wave of a magic wand, they already would have.
How to Help
People who witness a shutdown can do a few things to help the autistic person get through the implosion they’re going through. Be patient! Everything will be slower. But if the autistic person is able to communicate, you can ask them directly what might help. If they don’t respond, speak very slowly, or stutter, that’s normal. Don’t assume they’re doing it on purpose.
Shutdown usually happens because of overload, when the autistic person’s body needs an environment that’s better suited to them: less overwhelming sensory input and a routine that’s respected. In general, in these situations, you can offer the person in shutdown a calm place to rest. They might want to stop the activity they were doing when the shutdown started, or they might want to keep going at their own pace.
Alone or Accompanied?
Every autistic person is different, and every autistic person who goes through shutdown will have their own way of managing it. Some people might need to be alone. Others might need company. It can be tempting to offer physical contact to someone who seems distressed and is crying. However, this can make shutdown harder for many autistic people. It’s essential to make sure you have the person’s consent before any physical approach. Above all, don’t push comfort that involves touch if the person doesn’t want it. Some autistic people in shutdown might prefer contact with something soft, like a stuffed animal or a blanket, or the company of their pet, as long as the pet is willing, since cats don’t always consent. Finally, some autistic people, though fewer, might prefer physical contact.
Caution
Not all hugs are equal! Light touches and movement can trigger sensory overload. So, in general, if you agree to hug someone and have never talked about their preferences, go for a firm hug, proportional to the size of the person you’re hugging, and skip the stroking or patting.
Caution
No one is obligated to give or receive a hug.
When a Meltdown Leads to Shutdown
Autistic people going through overload can also go into meltdown. A meltdown is a sensory and emotional explosion that shows up through outward-facing behaviors. It’s a state that brings on a lot of sensation and emotion. Autistic people in meltdown sometimes go into shutdown right after, or in the hours or day that follow. That’s normal.
I need a “tight hug” if one’s available when I’m in meltdown, especially in public. I think somewhere in my brain, I’ve registered that if someone gives me a “tight hug,” it means there’s at least one person who isn’t judging me and who accepts that I’m in this emotional state. That’s a strong sign of possible safety. I’ve accepted hugs from strangers or people I barely know. But I do have my criteria, and if several people offer me a hug, I’ll choose someone based on two things: their size (I’m small, so I look for a tight hug from a small person) and how many layers of clothing they’re wearing, because feeling someone’s skin feels strange to me.
Emotions After a Shutdown
After a shutdown, an autistic person may feel negative emotions, especially if it happened in public or if someone nearby expressed judgment. They might feel humiliated, embarrassed, or have lower self-esteem as a result. However, there’s no shame in going through a shutdown. It’s a sign that the body has gone past its limits. It can help to try to understand what led up to it, to avoid it happening again.
When Surpassing Yourself Leads to Shutdown
As human beings with goals and dreams, it’s normal to try to “surpass yourself.” To do that, it’s normal to try to step outside your comfort zone at school, at work, in your social and family life, and in your passions and focused or passionate interests. Pushing your comfort zone too long, too far, or too fast can lead to shutdown. We often hear phrases like “surpass yourself” and “step outside your comfort zone.” And it’s true that stepping outside your comfort zone to reach your goals is a good thing. So it can be frustrating and humiliating to go into shutdown during or after stepping outside your comfort zone to do something you truly love, like a sports class or going to a show.
When a shutdown happens during or after stepping outside your comfort zone for your own goals, there’s something to take from it. First, it probably means you got further with your goals than before. Second, you’ve just discovered a new limit. Knowing your limits is a good thing. It helps you learn to step outside your comfort zone without hurting yourself. As Boucar Diouf says, no one can “surpass themselves,” it’s physically impossible. It’s important to remember that no one can go faster than themselves. That’s just as true for autistic people as it is for neurotypical people. Still, everyone can go further, just at their own pace.
