Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi I’m really curious want to know what a shutdown is? I know what a meltdown is and being on the spectrum myself I’ve have had many but I have not even encountered a shutdown. My boyfriend who is also on the spectrum has them but their quiet rare. I have tried many ways to get him to snap out of the one he is currently facing but no luck instead it makes him more irritated. Basically what is a shutdown? How long do they last? And is there a way to get a person to can’t think of a less harsh phrase here but to snap out of it?
There's a useful article here on what a shutdown looks like and what other people can do to help.
https://www.authenticallyemily.uk/blog/autistic-shutdowns
The person experiencing a shutdown needs a quiet place, space and time to recover. You cannot get them to 'snap out of it' and any attempts to do so will likely overwhelm them and make the situation much worse. There are no rules on how long they last.
The best thing you can do is retreat and allow him to communicate when he is ready and able to do so.