The AI-powered English dictionary
plural shutdowns
The action of stopping operations; a closing, of a computer, business, event, etc. examples
A statement, insult, etc. that prevents the opponent from replying further. examples
(psychology, autism) An autistic response to stress or sensory overload, in which the individual freezes up and becomes silent, motionless, and unresponsive. quotations
I retreated into myself and allowed myself to be swallowed into a typically autistic shutdown.
2018, Laura James, Odd Girl Out: My Extraordinary Autistic Life, unnumbered page
I may even reach the point where I have an autistic shutdown, which means I'll be unable to communicate, interact or socialize.
2020, Siena Castellon, The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic, page 34
Their [autistic girls'] distress could come out in all sorts of ways and result in meltdown or shutdown.
2021, Carly Jones, Safeguarding Autistic Girls: Strategies for Professionals, pages 61–62