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These factors are different for each person but can be, for example, unexpected interruptions in a schedule, bad room conditions, such as bright lights, or noises that trigger Misophonia. Misophonia is a condition where certain sounds can cause anger or distress in an autistic person. The emotional distress can become increasingly unbearable as the individual tries to keep control of the situation and often looks like extreme anxiety, anger or frustration.

Once emotions peak in the Amber Zone, the autistic person transitions into a ‘Red Zone’, which sits at the bottom bend of the U shape. At this point, the anxiety, anger or frustration felt on the downward trajectory typically ends in a meltdown or a shutdown. A meltdown is a state of loss of control of emotions, which can show itself in some autistic people through crying, shouting, rocking or wild gesticulation and hitting out at objects or people, etc. This state should not be mistaken for a tantrum, which is motivated by the aim of manipulation. An autistic person does not try to manipulate a situation through a meltdown; they have a complete loss of emotional control and often need this as a vent to get back their equilibrium. Some autistic people may have shutdowns, which makes them unresponsive.

The autistic individual will eventually come out of this state and be able to recover gradually. This is the upward trajectory on the other side of the U shape. In this recovery state, another Amber Zone, the autistic person will slowly regain their equilibrium through coping techniques, invoking positive thoughts and actions.

Once the individual has regained their composure, they have transitioned back into the Green Zone – until a trigger takes them back into the Amber Zone, and so forth.

The U-Finity Effect Theory claims that the continuation of U-shaped states is infinite. However, the grade of the downward trajectory to achieve a shallower U shape can be controlled by the support a non-autistic person provides during emotional states. The U-Finity Effect Theory for non-autistic individuals is as follows.

The U-Finity Effect – Non-Autistic People

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In the Green Zone, the non-autistic person who deals with or works with the autistic person sees a calm and functioning individual.

It can come as a surprise when the autistic person moves into the Amber Zone for non-apparent reasons. This can trigger anxiety and helplessness or anger and frustration in the non-autistic person, who doesn’t understand why the emotional state of the autistic person has suddenly deteriorated.

Once the autistic person enters the Red Zone, this anxiety and helplessness or anger and frustration can quickly change into panic on
witnessing a meltdown or a shutdown.

The non-autistic person will then witness with relief how the autistic person comes out of the meltdown or shutdown and enters the Amber
Zone of recovery until they regain the calm and functioning emotional state of the Green Zone. However, rather than seeking to understand this experience, non-autistic people will often try to avoid a repeat of a similar situation and may distance themselves from the autistic person.

The solution here is to ensure that the non-autistic person understands what is happening and to enable them to manage the effect through positive support action throughout the different emotional states.

Managing the U-Finity Effect – Team Effort

Practical support efforts from non-autistic people during each of the autistic individual’s U-shape emotional states can significantly reduce the trajectory of the Amber Zone. They can avoid or minimise a meltdown or shutdown in the Red Zone and increase recovery speed. This approach would lead to more extended periods of Green Zone emotional states and reduce the impact of the remaining U-shape emotional states.

Such support efforts can be as follows:

Green Zone

Asking the autistic person about their strengths and challenges and making reasonable adjustments can prolong the Green Zone periods. The autistic person will feel accepted and valued and trust the non-autistic person making such efforts to accommodate them. Often, the autistic person will talk to a trusted person about issues, thus preventing them from entering the Amber Zone.

Amber Zone – Downward Trajectory

If an autistic person has experienced a trigger and entered the Amber Zone emotional state, the non-autistic person should stay calm and find out what the trigger was. The trigger might be removable, or the autistic person may be encouraged to talk about it. Sharing such information can reduce the severity of the trigger and allow both parties to form a balanced view of the situation or come to a compromise.

Red Zone

If the non-autistic person witnesses a meltdown or shutdown, they should stay calm, ensure that the autistic person is safe and wait patiently until the emotional state is over. You may provide a glass of water or another gesture of support.

Amber Zone – Recovery

Once the autistic person has reached the state of recovery, it is crucial to support them with a positive mindset and supportive actions. This can include reminding them of their strengths or past achievements or reassurances that the trigger will be removed in the future. Talking about what has happened during the distressed state can also help accelerate the recovery process.

Although the U shape may become shallower and triggers may be reduced once emotional states are managed effectively, they will not lose
their infinite quality. The autistic person will experience these emotional states over and over again in the future but in a more manageable way.