INTRODUCTION TO MELTDOWNS AND SHUTDOWNS

Navigating the world as an autistic individual often involves encountering situations that can lead to changes of state and behaviour that are often called meltdowns or shutdowns. These meltdown or shutdown experiences, while diverse in their manifestations, often stem from overwhelming sensory, emotional, or informational inputs or stress triggers. The autistic person is struggling to process too much information at one time, and this can lead to feelings of high anxiety and overwhelm. Understanding these responses is crucial for organising support and creating accommodating environments.

Whether in a shutdown or meltdown, the individual temporarily loses control of their behaviour and is unable to express themselves any other way. Meltdowns and shutdowns are not intentional, they are survival responses. They can be misunderstood, for example, a meltdown is not a temper tantrum, and a shutdown is not the silent treatment or shyness but a self-preservation response. Please don’t judge or tease, this will just add to the overwhelm. With a state of high anxiety, flooded with sensory input, the brain becomes overwhelmed and demands a survival response from the body.

WHAT ARE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MELTDOWNS AND SHUTDOWNS?

Meltdowns are noticeable, they are either a fight, flight, or flood response. This could look like someone losing their temper or even lashing out; running away; or sobbing in the hope of a rescuer. A shutdown is more discrete, possibly invisible, and is either a fawn, flop, or freeze response. This could be in the form of pleasing and appeasing in the hope of avoiding conflict and to establish a sense of safety; having a meltdown inside but showing nothing on the outside; or the body tensing up and becoming stiff, immobilised. Shutdowns can lead to feeling or becoming unresponsive, not being able to move, and can sometimes result in situational mutism, where the person is unable to communicate or speak. The individual may even fall asleep. 

Meltdowns and shutdowns are distinctive reactions for autistic individuals, each with its own unique characteristics. Consider a scenario where an autistic person experiences a meltdown: imagine being in a crowded, noisy environment with bright lights, creating a sensory overload. In response, emotions surge uncontrollably, leading to an outburst or breakdown. Conversely, in a shutdown, the same individual might withdraw and become non-responsive to cope with the overwhelming stimuli. The feelings are trapped inside when in shutdown, whereas the feelings are expressed in meltdowns.

People can experience both meltdowns and shutdowns, and the specific response may vary based on the situation.

MELTDOWNS AND SHUTDOWNS ACROSS NEURODIVERGENT INDIVIDUALS

Meltdowns and shutdowns are not exclusive to autism and can be part of the experience of neurodivergent individuals, such as ADHD or anxiety disorders. For instance, individuals with ADHD might experience overwhelm and sensory sensitivity that can lead to meltdowns, while those with anxiety disorders may be prone to shutdowns during periods of heightened stress. The specific triggers, manifestations, and responses can vary widely across neurodivergent individuals.

MELTDOWNS AND SHUTDOWNS IN NEUROTYPICALS

Neurotypical individuals, those without neurodivergent traits, can also experience episodes that share similarities with meltdowns and shutdowns, albeit with some differences in terminology and context. For example, a neurotypical individual might experience an emotional breakdown or a state of emotional overwhelm, which can have similarities to a meltdown. Similarly, a neurotypical person might describe periods of withdrawal, emotional shutdown, or burnout, which can align with the concept of shutdowns.

While terminology may differ, the underlying experiences of intense emotional states, sensory overload, or emotional withdrawal can be present in individuals across the neurodiversity spectrum. It’s crucial to recognise that everyone, regardless of neurodivergent status, can have moments of emotional distress or times when they need to manage sensory and emotional wellbeing.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO MELTDOWNS AND SHUTDOWNS IN AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS

The heightened prevalence of meltdowns and shutdowns in autistic individuals can be attributed to a combination of factors such as heighted sensory processing compared with neurotypicals, being neurodivergent in a predominantly neurotypical world, as well as individual differences. Understanding and acknowledging the diverse experiences of meltdowns and shutdowns contribute to fostering a more supportive environment.

By embracing the neurodiversity paradigm, we can appreciate the unique perspectives everyone brings, recognising that everyone, regardless of neurotypical-neurodivergent status, can all have our moments of emotional distress. Let’s continue the drive of designing a world that celebrates and supports the rich variety of neurological experiences! With that in mind, let’s delve into examples of causes and triggers of meltdowns and shutdowns, and possible coping strategies and prevention techniques.

MELTDOWNS AND SHUTDOWNS – CAUSES AND TRIGGERS

To the observer, it can look like something small has triggered a meltdown or shutdown, but it is usually a build-up of multiple daily stress factors. For example:

• • Chronic high demand situations such as juggling unrealistic deadlines with a lack of resource, in an unfriendly sensory environment and in an unsupportive culture … unfortunately this is a typical workplace for some! This can feel more like white-knuckle-riding through work-life rather than thriving.
  • High demand situations such as networking events where the autistic individual may feel socially unsafe because we have different wiring to allistics when it comes to socialising as well as being a minority group. 
  • Very emotional situations such as conflict situations.
  • Sensory overload such as bright lights, noise, crowds, itchy clothing.
  • Experiencing changes without warning.
  • Basic needs that have been overlooked such as thirst, hunger, pain, and exhaustion.

PREVENTING, REDUCING, AND RECOVERING FROM SHUTDOWNS AND MELTDOWNS

Before experiencing a meltdown or shutdown, many people will show signs of distress or anxiety. There could be pacing, repetitive questions, repetitive statements or expressions, repetitive body movements or repetative movement of objects, more masking, or being quieter and more withdrawn than usual.

To minimise these experiences, recognising triggers plays a vital role. Different people will have different triggers and responses. The best thing to do is to consider triggers and needs when in a calm state, not when in a meltdown or shutdown. That way you can work out specific needs and agree a plan for the best way to prevent, reduce, and recover from a meltdown or shutdown going forward.  Here are a few things that can help:

• • Learn to self-advocate for your needs, or ask for advocacy support. Knowing there is moral and practical support goes a long way.
  • Take time out to reset and remember that this will only be temporary. A quick way to recover and recharge is to find flow in an activity you love, perhaps a hobby or favourite movie or TV programme. 
  • Identify or create quiet spaces to help reduce sensory overload – if the space can be equipped with sensory-friendly items like noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, or weighted blankets, all the better. 
  • Remove any objects, people, or sounds that are creating sensory overload, if possible.
  • Practice breathing techniques, or other self-soothing techniques, so that you can automatically use them when needed or model them for someone else. Breathe in for 5 to 6 seconds, then breathe out for 5 to 6 seconds. This can help calm the amygdala and reset the mind and body. Shallow breathing sets off the amygdala.
  • Muscle relaxation techniques can help calm the amygdala. Tense and relax the muscles where the tension usually sits. For example, quickly tense your hands into fists then relax them with your palms facing upwards.
  • Create an event timetable or form predictable routines to provide a sense of structure and security. This helps prevent overwhelming situations.
  • Accommodations play a crucial role – simple adjustments like flexible work schedules, allowing breaks, providing clear communication, and creating sensory-friendly environments can make a significant difference to wellbeing, working relationships, and productivity. 
  • Avoid asking questions, giving information or instructions, teasing, or using restrictive methods, when someone is in a meltdown or shutdown. This will most likely increase sensory overload and would likely make the situation worse.
  • Continually enhance emotional intelligence skills. The more self-aware we are, the more we can understand and communicate our needs, and understand others’ needs. Together we can be in a healthier place! Bear in mind that for some individuals, the difficulty in identifying emotions might stem from past trauma or overwhelming experiences. When trauma hinders the recognition of emotions, focus on creating a safe and supportive environment. Employing strategies that promote a sense of safety and trust can gradually facilitate emotional identification and regulation.

THE FAR-REACHING IMPACT OF MELTDOWNS AND SHUTDOWNS

Now, we shift our focus to the profound impact that meltdowns and shutdowns can have on an individual’s quality of life. 

Lucy’s Story: A Case Study

Take Lucy for instance, a newly qualified hairdresser who experienced sensory overload in a new working environment, prompting her resignation within a week due to the change in environment. The salon she had dedicated three years to closed and relocated, adding an extra bus journey to her daily commute. The previous salon offered modern subdued and mood lighting, ample space for personal comfort, and a culture that was welcoming, friendly, and supportive – a truly nurturing environment, that both employees and clients enjoyed. In contrast, the new salon was smaller, brighter, and crowded, with a less welcoming and supportive culture heavily influenced by dominant personalities. The overwhelming lighting, noise, densely populated space, and less supportive work culture, became too much for Lucy, leading to frequent shutdowns. This was on top of her busy peak-hour bus journeys to and from work. No doubt clients who transferred to the new salon, clients with with sensory issues like Lucy, were forced to find a new hairdressing salon too!

Accommodations and support in personal and professional life

The culture of the new salon was, “if I can do it, so can everyone else.” While no one intended harm in this situation, awareness of healthy resilience, and awareness about hidden traits, coupled with positive action can make a substantial difference to the quality of people’s lives.

Lucy is now recovering from her experience and career derailment. In her new job search, she is seeking a sensory friendly environment coupled with a professional and welcoming culture.

This was an insight into shutdowns. For a fantastic thorough insight into meltdowns, try listening to or reading “Strong Female Character” by Fern Brady.

CONCLUSION

The goal of this article is to promote understanding, compassion, and support. Autism is a spectrum, and people may have different preferences, sensitivities, and experiences. This was Lucy’s unique experience. Each person’s journey is distinct, and the impact of meltdowns and shutdowns can vary widely.

Awareness and positive action are pivotal in supporting autistic individuals who experience meltdowns and shutdowns. By fostering a welcoming environment and acknowledging the unique needs of each person, we can create spaces where autistic individuals can thrive too. Well-designed spaces and supportive nurturing cultures are better not just for autistic individuals, but for most people.

Written by Susan Douglas, Work-Life Flow, 30 January 2024

References

1. Meltdowns and Shutdowns – Autism Space, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
2. Meltdowns – a guide for all audiences, National Autistic Society
3. The University of Edinburgh Autism Awareness and Acceptance
4. “Taming Your Amygdala” by Catherine M Pittman PhD
5. “Strong Female Character” Audiobook by Fern Brady, Publisher Brazen Feb 2023

You may be interested in the following articles:

Embracing Neurodiversity with Emotional Intelligence

What are Emotional Intelligence Skills – an Introduction