I've been doing a lot of work recently on how to best support fellow autistics within the world of employment and social activities and as such have been thinking a lot about the ways to mitigate factors that precede the different types of meltdown. For explanation for the past few years I've been defining my meltdowns as having three categories:
Fight Meltdown
This is the most commonly recognised "meltdown" - the classic external expression of being autisticly overwhelmed. Its also the one I experience least of the three; its very rare I find myself shouting uncontrollably or lashing out with self-injurious intent, if I do its often because the "fight" is being aimed at myself as I try desperately to avoid one of the other two meltdowns.
Freeze Meltdown
Becoming more commonly recognised now under the term "shutdown" - the reaction turns inward, lots of internal negative/panicked thoughts, a need to 'hide' expressed by trying to become as small as possible through the tightening of the body space ('hugging' oneself, knees pulled up to chest etc). May look like a catatonic response as all movement stills and eyes becomes unfocused and non-responsive. Can include a measure of self harm if the freeze response is initiated to over-ride the flight response.
Flight Meltdown
An 'evacuation' response, the immediate need to 'run away' from the trigger in question; this can be as simple as just walking away from something, but can also include abandoning shopping in the trolley or leaving the room mid conversation. This reaction is a dangerous one, particularly in children as the 'flight' can lead them directly into more hazardous situations such as traffic. The response may be fought against and 'over-ridden' by the freeze meltdown as the logical part of the brain fights to retain control of the reaction, knowing that to flee the circumstances may be dangerous or have long term negative consequences.
There are two other terms I refer to a lot when I give talks and training, these are things I am (very slowly) trying to write a book about as I don't think they are very well understood, even in the autistic community:
Social Hangover
The consequences of an intense period of socialising - often a conference or highly stressful event like a wedding or funeral. The 'symptoms' are very similar to an alcohol hangover and can take several hours to dissipate. Best dealt with in the same manner as the post-meltdown period and whenever possible planned for, its very rare a large scale event like a birthday party or day out at the zoo won't have some measure of social hangover the next day!
Autism Fatigue
The almost chronic exhaustion that arises after a period of time exposed to lots of social interactions, sensory input or extreme emotion. It can be built over time or happen very quickly, I often experience autism fatigue at the weekend after long weeks at work when I've had to deal with lots of 'peopling' or my commute has been difficult (not unusual on the GNR/Thameslink line!)
