Neurodivergent_lou

@neuro_lou

Oct 2 • 10 tweets • 3 min read Twitter logo

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Autistic Meltdowns Vs Shutdowns

#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #Neurodiversity #Autism

All slides have a yellow background with black text. All slides have my username @neurodivergent_lou in the bottom left hand corner. Slide 1: Text reads- Autistic Meltdowns Vs Shutdowns.

Slide 2: Text reads - Differences between Autistic Shutdowns and Meltdowns - Autistic Meltdowns. An autistic meltdown is a response to overwhelm where an autistic person temporarily loses control. Meltdowns look different for different autistic people. Typically, but not always, a meltdown is more of an external reaction compared to a shutdown which is often described as more of an internal response. During an autistic meltdown, someone may become so overwhelmed that they may: Scream. Shout. Lash out.

Slide 3: Text reads - During a meltdown, everything gradually gets louder, brighter and I become more aware of textures, like the feel of my clothes against my skin. It feels like I have been holding a bucket of overwhelm which has been filling up and filling up until everything eventually explodes. This can result in lack of control of our body and we may become less aware of our surroundings. It can feel absolutely exhausting.

Slide 5: Text reads- Differences between Autistic Shutdowns and Meltdowns - Autistic Shutdowns During an autistic shutdown, someone may: Go completely silent Lie fully flat or curl up into a ball Not be able to move Some people describe autistic shutdowns as like when a computer overheats and shuts down. We may become so overwhelmed that we are then unable to function. Autistic people may unconsciously learn to shutdown instead of having a meltdown. This is because meltdowns can cause more external issues such as, causing issues in relationships or other people reacting negatively in public.

Slide 5: Text reads- During a shutdown, it feels like everything goes quiet and all the background noise disappears into a distant buzzing. I feel like I physically can't move or get the words out of my mouth. Sometimes I can dissociate too and feel like I am floating above watching my surroundings go on. Usually I stare into space and fixate my eyes on one place. Everything else goes blurry. Sometimes autistic people don't realize that they are having a shutdown until after they are able to recover.

Slide 6: Text reads- Similarities between Autistic Shutdowns and Meltdowns During both autistic meltdowns and shutdowns, someone might feel... Disconnected from the world Empty Like a burden Tearful Unregulated Overwhelmed Out of control Exhausted

Slide 7: Text reads- Similarities between Autistic Shutdowns and Meltdowns a long recovery time afterwards Not being able to speak or communicate Not being able to process information An urge to escape For both meltdowns and shutdowns, someone might experience... Heightened senses the world moving faster or slower than usual

Slide 8: Text reads- Similarities between Autistic Shutdowns and Meltdowns Autistic meltdowns and shutdowns are... Not a choice Not a way to 'seek attention' Often due to a build up of triggers Different to tantrums Not a way to manipulate Not due to bad parenting

Slide 8: Text reads- Similarities between Autistic Shutdowns and Meltdowns Autistic meltdowns and shutdowns are... Not a choice. Not a way to 'seek attention'. Often due to a build up of triggers. Different to tantrums. Not a way to manipulate. Not due to bad parenting.

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