Autism Meltdown Vs Autism Shutdown - What's The Difference?

Autism meltdowns and autism shutdowns are talked about often by autistic people. But what's the difference? In this video, I break down what are autism meltdowns and what are autism shutdowns. Talking about the differences between meltdowns vs shutdowns but also how to help someone who experiences autism meltdowns and/or autism shutdowns.

Do you have autistic meltdowns? Do you have autistic shutdowns? I have experienced both and they make me feel unable to do things. But it's important to recognise your autism meltdown symptoms & autism shutdown symptoms. To allow you to avoid meltdowns and shutdowns.

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*ABOUT ME*
Videos on autism from the perspective of an autistic adult. Sharing my autism experiences to help other autistic people and autism families to improve understanding of autism.

Hello indie people, I'm Andy and I have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I make videos on autism from the perspective of an autistic adult. Sharing my autism experiences to help other autistic people and autism families to improve understanding of autism.

This channel is focused on raising autism awareness & acceptance of autism. To try and change attitudes towards autism, to educate people about autism for those who are new to the autism world.

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So if you are on the spectrum, know someone with autism or are working professionally in the autism field and want to learn more about autistic people then consider subscribing and turning on the notification bell to see all future videos.

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#autism #meltdown #shutdown

[RaymondOreFineArt]

Never had a Meltdown but had many Shutdowns all I need is to be left alone for a while then my racing brain will slow back to normal and I can communicate again. If someone carries on talking to me it just fuels the brain monster, it needs to be starved of all stimulus.

[muppetjedisparklefeet]

For some autistic people, including myself, there is a lot of shame that goes along with both because it’s incredibly socially unacceptable to be out of control (and can be extremely scary for ourselves and others). Many neurotypical people don’t understand we can’t control it and will judge us for it. There are coping strategies to prevent and deal with meltdowns and shutdowns; however, understanding and patience from the NT is so important.

[muppetjedisparklefeet]

My coping mechanisms:
-Breathing slow and feeling what my body feels. I can’t always identify the emotion I’m having but I can feel my heart racing and my body trembling (from the adrenaline of being overwhelmed) so I feel it wait for it to pass.
-Lie in bed so i’m somewhere soft and away from people in case I get thrashy. If I’m in public I find a bathroom to sit it.
- Try not to hurt myself by reminding myself I wouldn’t hurt someone I love.
-Focusing on something distracting like counting or watching a movie or signing along to a song.
-keeping a journal of what causes them to help me manage triggers.

[ReiverBlue]

The invention of the hoodie was meant for me :) If the hood's up only necessary communication us allowed or paid attention to. When the hood's down then I'm generally ok .I also have a few hats too

[DavidHenderson]

I had frequently Googled the question: Why do I always feel extremely depressed right after an exciting day? I wish that this had come up, cuz a shutdown describes it exactly.

[JadeDRail]

For anxiety and ADHD, sometimes I just have to go lie down in my room in the dark or quiet sometimes (even though I cannot sleep during the day, just lying down can help). Sometimes I grab a stuffed animal or knit, watch a happy light show like My Little Pony. Yelling can help, because it won't hurt yourself but yelling can make you feel better. Going for a walk outside can be really nice. Asking someone for a hug or sitting next to someone and leaning on them. Asking someone to play with your hair.

[sta_rlight]

My family like to speak very loud because they are naturally like that. I hate it so much and I pretend to be calm and smile like an idiot. I wish I could scream at everyone but I’d get in trouble. My mother knows I have autism but she doesn’t know anything about autism. I am still learning about it because I was recently diagnosed. The thing is that my mom gets so mad as to why I learn pretty slow in general and don’t have some common sense like waking on roads and whatnot. It’s so frustrating because she gets yells at me and tell me I won’t be successful. She pressures me to learn things fast but I can’t because I don’t understand information unless you explain it to me 100 times and repeat it to me. The only way I can learn is through repetition and relearning things. I just wish I didn’t have to be judged for this. I always have meltdowns and shutdowns. No one understands me and I feel like punching people out in the streets.

[robinronner]

I'm not autistic but I get sensory overloads sometimes. It helps me understand people with autism a little better. Sometimes things are just too overwhelming and you don't quite know what to do with yourself or how to make it stop. I hope there'll be more recognition for autistic people on how to help with this. Great video, this was very educational and exactly what I was looking for :)

[gabbykitty]

LOTS and LOTS of shutdowns for me. Sometimes they are voluntary, like when I'm trying to avoid a meltdown, but other times they are involuntary like the other day when I ended up sleeping much longer than usual. I've been having too many meltdowns and shutdowns recently and it's really starting to wear on me mentally.

[sarinalight]

I’ve been called ‘Crazy’ when I had my melt-downs, no I’ll say ‘shutdowns’ then melt-downs. I know what my triggers are today. I was medicated to the point of numbness, which didn’t help when I was 36. I’m grateful today, b/c I’m in my late 40’s. I know the pandemic was stressful for many, I feel losing my mother 6 month prior to the pandemic was an awakening for me today. Today my mother I feel was an Angel. Thank you So much for this information.

[thecomedygamingnetwork]

Wish my parents knew all this stuff. Wish all autistic people and mentally ill/disabled people had access to professional and personal support like this. Thank you. I had thoughts about this being commercialization of autism but as of right now I've been burned out and depressed for so long I'm just glad to hear you talking about this.

[LadyYautjaSpacePirate]

I used to have meltdowns but I outgrew them and just have shutdowns.

[justshawna]

Yes to darkness and silence!! For me the difference between a shutdown and a meltdown is if I allow myself to lash out versus being able to escape or stop what's overwhelming me--which is usually people and noise.

Thank you so much for sharing! ♥️🙏🏾

[otakus]

I wasn't sure about if I've had a meltdown but thinking back on my experiences, I think I actually have, but I have way more shutdowns than anything 💀

[briannas.]

Thank you for this!! Other videos don’t explain it so clearly and easily as you did.
I was just diagnosed with ASD1 three days ago, and I’ve experienced lots of meltdowns, though for a long time I just saw them as panic attacks (I’m still unclear what the difference is there). The worst one I ever experienced was quite terrifying, because I was trying to take a biology final in college, and only answered the first question before I started to stim and hyperventilate. My poor professor, bless her heart, had no idea what to do with me, so she had me sit in the hallway alone to cry it out. Another student passing by even prayed over me. But the meltdown was only getting worse and worse, until I felt I could pass out. Luckily the psych center was right next door, and I got assistance right away. A lady held my hand and she could feel electricity buzzing under my skin. I could only speak 3 words per sentence, if I spoke at all. It’s still the worst meltdown I’ve ever experienced, but now I have a better idea of how to help myself.

[StephanieBethany]

Great video! And yes, please be calm toward the autistic in shutdown. Screaming or demanding a response immediately makes things worse!

[soul]

I normally shut down first and if my situation doesn’t change for example I’m still in a supermarket and can’t get out or in an appointment and still being asked questions I then meltdown.
During a shutdown I go very childlike, like sulky and argumentative I absolutely hate that about myself, it does feel like a short depression you’re right.

[monojeons]

i remember my peak meltdowns were 2 years ago when i started college. since i often have classes that ended at 7:30pm, i tend to have meltdowns that i couldn't even express to people what they are. my meltdowns are mostly related to anything about socializations and/or deafening/awkward silence (especially if i don't have anyone to talk to that i'm 500% comfortable. mind u i barely made close friends only aquaintances) and i would cry inside my uni's chapel with no one there to calm my nerves down 'til i got the guts to go home because i'm too scared to cry at home. i didn't knew that was an autistic meltdown 'til i saw this video.

i have to admit i do get confused between my meltdowns and tantrums because i easily get overwhelmed when things aren't beyond my control or my way so i'm glad this video exist

[elainedevilliers]

What I think is unfair is that work environments dont cater to or try to understand people with mental disabilities. I don't understand the point of going to school and getting an education if no one will let you use it. Why do they have ramps and special toilets for physically disabled people but nothing for mentally disabled people. Being mentally disabled doesn't mean you're crazy or irredeemable it just means you have special needs and they should be catered for. An otherwise brilliant totally capable person is reduced to infantilityand made to look incompetent when you actually possess more skill than your entire workforce put together. I find this discriminatory and morally and ethically wrong if not absolutely criminal.

[izstarlightmoongacha]

I get autism meltdowns often but ive never had a autism shut down before and after watching this video i now know what a autism shut down is since i never heard of it before