Shutdown

A shutdown refers to a withdrawal and disengagement response to extreme overwhelm, stress or sensory overload. Those affected often appear calm, apathetic or ‘unresponsive’ to others; they withdraw and barely respond when spoken to. A shutdown is an involuntary protective response of the nervous system that frequently occurs in people on the autism spectrum, but can also occur in other neurodivergent individuals or those under extreme pressure. The aim is to prevent further overwhelm. During this phase, communication, decision-making and social interaction are severely restricted. A shutdown is not a conscious withdrawal or a refusal, but an expression of momentary overload.