Meltdowns and Shutdowns
Meltdowns and shutdowns are two types of responses that autistic people can have when they lose control of their emotions in overwhelming situations.
The key difference between a meltdown and a shutdown is that a person’s anxiety is displayed in a meltdown and hidden in a shutdown. Meltdowns can also be misinterpreted as tantrums. However, tantrums are a form of manipulative behaviour where a person displays strong emotions until they get what they want. A meltdown, on the other hand, has no agenda or time limit. The same applies to a shutdown, where the person may become completely unresponsive to their surroundings.
This resource outlines some of the signs of a meltdown and a shutdown, explains how they might be prevented and provides insight on what to do if a meltdown or shutdown situation arises. It can be relevant to both children and adults with autism. So, if you’re a parent, teacher, employer, or colleague, you can gain a new perspective on meltdowns and shutdowns from this resource.
Contents
The signs of a meltdown
The following signs could indicate that an autistic person is having a meltdown:
- Rocking back and forth
- Flapping hands
- Kicking or hitting out
- Shouting
- Crying
Not all people who experience meltdowns display all the signs listed above. They vary with each individual.
If an autistic person fails to identify or tell you that they’re having a meltdown, stay calm and make sure they are safe. If you’re unfamiliar with meltdowns, this can be concerning. Observe the person in question and try to be patient. Later in the article, you’ll find some tips on how to overcome a meltdown situation.
The signs of a shutdown
An autistic person experiencing a shutdown may display some of the signs of a meltdown at first but with no or very little emotion. There are certain signs, though, that are exclusive to shutdowns that are as follows:
- Speech difficulties
- Being completely unresponsive to your communication
- Wanting to fall asleep or having no energy
- Wanting to hide away or spend more time alone
How you might prevent meltdowns or shutdowns
Preventing meltdowns or shutdowns can be challenging, as people with autism have different triggers. The easiest way to work around this is to have a confidential discussion to enable the person to tell you their triggers. Of course, they have to be comfortable doing this. However, it’s not impossible to prevent meltdowns or shutdowns if you don’t have a discussion. Luckily, there are several common triggers that, if you’re aware of them, can help. These are as follows:
- Having to process an excessive amount of information under pressure.
- Being in an environment where the room conditions are unsuitable, e.g., too noisy, too bright, etc.
- Being unexpectedly diverted away from plans or routine.
- Getting agitated from repetitive noises such as keyboard typing or eating noises.
- Having to mask in social situations for a long time without any quiet space.
Not all triggers above will apply to every person with autism. But, knowing about some of the common triggers might help you get ideas of how to accommodate autistic people into your environment.
What to do during a meltdown or shutdown
So, what should you do if it’s too late to prevent a meltdown or shutdown, and it’s happening right in front of you? The best thing is to wait until the meltdown or shutdown is over and the person has returned to a calm, functioning state. You should ensure they are safe, but don’t approach them during the meltdown or shutdown. They might say something they don’t mean or have a violent outburst. Once the peak of the meltdown or shutdown has passed, allow them to come and talk to you or encourage them to talk to someone they trust.
Callum has developed a related theory to meltdowns and shutdowns called the U-Finity Effect of Autism. If you’re interested in learning more about this, this website has a resource that explains the theory in more detail.
Summary
The signs and triggers of meltdowns and shutdowns listed above are only a few examples. It is important to have a discussion with your autistic child, student, employee, or colleague, which enables them to share the signs or triggers that cause a meltdown or shutdown for them. You should also read more resources, such as Callum’s book, covering meltdowns and shutdowns in more detail. This way, you can gain the understanding needed to deal with such situations more easily.
What’s also important to note is that some autistic people may only experience either meltdowns or shutdowns but not both. Each person is different, and it will become easier to manage as you build a stronger relationship over time.
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