Autism can cause several sensory symptoms that have unique triggers for each individual, and an autism meltdown in an autistic adult is often the result of sensory processing differences. Understanding how and why they happen, and what to do about them, can help autistic people and their loved ones to manage these situations when they arise.

Here, we will define what an autism meltdown is, how it can be characterised, what is likely to trigger this reaction, how to differentiate a meltdown from other reactions such as tantrums or panic attacks, coping strategies, and how professional support could help. At Augmentive, we aim to provide holistic, tailored mental health support to everyone so they can live their life to the fullest, so if you have questions about autism, we can help. 

What is autism?  

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting how people interact with others and the world around them, and how they process and respond to sensory information. This is a lifelong condition that tends to affect a person’s behaviour, communication skills, and sensory processing abilities, and autistic people may experience sensory issues that cause negative reactions. 

Some symptoms common in autistic adults include: 

• Trouble reading social cues or participating in conversations
• Trouble reading body language or facial expressions 
• Speaking in a robotic or monotone pattern that does not convey true emotions 
• Avoiding eye contact when speaking 
• Performing restrictive and repetitive behaviours 
• Difficulty with interruptions to routine, especially if they are last-minute
• Fixation on one or two favourite subjects, either that they care deeply about or are extremely skilled in 
• Experiencing sensitivity to sensory input like pain, sound or touch 

Often symptoms of autism are different in women than in men, with women more likely to experience repetitive behaviours and obsessions, sensory sensitivities, social challenges, issues with executive function, mental health challenges (such as higher rates of anxiety), co-occurring conditions, and more. You can read more about this in our guide to signs of autism in adult women.

What is an autism meltdown?

Unfortunately the term ‘meltdown’ tends to conjure up images of a toddler tantrum, implying a child-like reaction when something is unwanted, unfair or difficult. In reality, this term is often used to describe a particular reaction experienced by autistic adults. It is important to understand why and how these reactions occur in order to help an autistic person, as they can be very upsetting and unpleasant when they are happening. 

An autism meltdown is a behavioural change occurring as a result of trying to process too much information at once, leading to excess feelings of overwhelming anxiety. One 2022 study reported autistic adults said they experienced meltdowns as a profound sense of being overwhelmed and lacking control, describing it as a sensation that encompasses their whole body, and reporting symptoms like blurred vision, flushed cheeks and tense shoulders.

The most important thing for others to know about autism meltdowns is that they are involuntary and extremely difficult (if not impossible) for an individual to control or stifle. Some may assume an intense reaction like this is a choice made by the person in order to express feelings of frustration, but the emotional dysregulation felt by an autistic person during a meltdown like this can be extremely difficult to control, especially when the source of the trigger is still present and distressing the person’s nervous system. 

According to the National Autistic Society, a meltdown happens when “someone becomes completely overwhelmed by their current situation and temporarily loses control of their behaviour”. Autism Research Institute suggests meltdowns could be caused by an overloading of the central nervous system, with research supporting this and finding autistic people have more hyper-connected neurons in their brain than neurotypical people do. This, along with differences in their sensory systems, can cause feelings of overwhelm to develop more easily in autistic people.

A meltdown may include signs such as:

• Crying excessively 
• Destroying things around them 
• Stomping their feet 
• Hitting, kicking, or lashing out 
• Running away 
• Hurting themselves, such as banging their head against objects or hitting themselves
• Stimming behaviours 
• Throwing or breaking things
• Vocal outbursts, such as yelling out, calling people names, or screaming

The length of time an autistic person experiences a meltdown will depend on the individual and their triggers, but often they will last at least 20 minutes after the trigger has been removed. Understanding why meltdowns happen and what is going on in the person’s brain can help to better manage these when they occur, and seek the appropriate support.  

What can trigger an autism meltdown? 

Autistic people tend to experience sensory issues from specific triggers, and autism meltdowns can be triggered by a number of elements that are unique to each person. These may include (but are not limited to) the likes of:

Sensory overload

Sensory stimuli can be more overwhelming for an autistic person than for neurotypical people, which means something like a disruptive work environment may cause sensory overload that is difficult to manage. This is thought to be one of the most common triggers for autistic meltdowns, and could be caused by sounds (such as a repetitive noise), touch (such as unpleasant clothing textures), sight (such as bright lights), smell or taste (such as certain foods), or temperature (such as hot weather). 

Cognitive overload can lead to a similar reaction, which happens when an autistic person becomes overwhelmed with a lot of information they need to process, or they develop anxiety as a result of this. Sensory issues can cause an autistic meltdown, autism burnout, or another negative reaction that impacts the person’s daily life. 

Changes to routine

Inconsistencies can be stressful for an autistic person who relies on a regular routine to feel confident and in control. Any change to their routine may lead to feelings of overwhelm, emotional dysregulation, and a lack of control which could cause an involuntary meltdown to occur. Also, having unmet needs (usually due to a lack of control over the situation or a sudden change to a routine) could cause a similar reaction. 

Stress 

Whether a high stress situation or long-term chronic stress, any type of stress could contribute to this negative reaction. Often the long-term stress involved in masking autistic traits and behaviours in social situations can build up over time until it leads to a meltdown. 

Things like maintaining conversations for long periods of time, having to constantly interpret social cues, and taking steps to fit in with societal norms can be a struggle. Similarly, workplace pressures and a lack of support and understanding from colleagues or managers could lead to masking behaviours, which studies suggest could result in more severe mental health consequences.

Fatigue

A lack of sleep or general tiredness can cause feelings of burnout and overwhelm to appear more intensified, which could cause a meltdown reaction to occur. Autistic fatigue has been found to lead to meltdowns in those who are susceptible to this reaction, and general fatigue is thought to be more likely for autistic people than neurotypical people.

Big life changes

Many people will experience several big changes in their life, and even if these are considered to be positive changes (such as a marriage, the birth of a child, or a house move) they can still cause feelings of extreme stress to arise, leading to a potential meltdown. While this could cause negative reactions for anyone, an autistic person may find these experiences to be more overwhelming, and could become more anxious or stressed due to an inability to regulate emotions. Research suggests burnout may be experienced during big life transitions, so it is possible that a meltdown reaction could also occur. 

What are the signs of an autism meltdown?  

An autism meltdown will look different for each person, but they could involve a mix of emotional, behavioural and physical signs which may or may not be obvious to loved ones. Some key indicators of an autism meltdown include:

Emotional Signs

An autistic person may be able to recognise an impending meltdown in themselves due to some of the emotional experiences they have, including intense feelings of anxiety, anger or distress. They may initially struggle to communicate how they are feeling and what they need. 

Behavioural Signs

A person experiencing an autism meltdown may display certain behaviours that are easy for others to recognise, such as crying, pacing back and forth, shouting at inappropriate times, self-injury, fidgeting, and more. 

Physical Signs

An autism meltdown is unlikely to cause any physical or medical issues for the person experiencing it, but the sensory overload preceding a meltdown could mean you notice physical signs such as rapid breathing or excessive perspiration as a response. 

One study noted some autistic people said a meltdown for them felt overwhelming due to various types of stress, and caused intense emotions like anger, sadness and fear. It led to them struggling to think clearly, access memories, and stay in control. Study participants described their meltdowns as a way of releasing extreme emotions, and expressed a desire to be alone during a meltdown to avoid harming their relationships. 

How are meltdowns different from other autism behaviours?  

Autism can lead to a number of reactions to specific triggers or stimuli, which usually look different for each person. Just as neurotypical people react differently to stress and external stimuli, so do autistic individuals who have their own dislikes and discomforts. 

Often autistic meltdowns are likened to a tantrum, but it is important to differentiate these two reactions. Tantrums are typically associated with children who react in an irrational way in order to achieve a goal of getting what they want. Although children may struggle with emotional regulation during a tantrum, they do usually have some level of control over this reaction. In contrast, an autistic meltdown is an involuntary reaction the person cannot stop. There is a lack of control over this type of reaction, which is not the case for tantrums. 

Meltdowns can also sometimes be likened to panic attacks, but these are two different experiences. Although research suggests up to 40% of autistic people may live with an anxiety disorder, which could result in panic attacks, this overlap does not mean panic attacks and meltdowns are the same thing. A panic attack is an overwhelming feeling of fear that can cause a number of physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath, and these often appear out of nowhere, with no particular trigger or cause. Autistic meltdowns on the other hand, may be triggered by a number of stressful sources, as mentioned above. 

Similar triggers and stimuli might cause autistic meltdowns, or they may lead to another stress-based reaction such as autistic burnout. Burnout can be experienced by anyone, and this is when a person has feelings of severe stress, with symptoms such as increased fatigue, trouble focusing, feelings of depression, physical signs such as stomach issues, and more. While burnout can be the result of chronic stress from things like work or a prolonged period of caring for someone else, autism burnout often occurs due to the prolonged stress of feeling that they have to mask their symptoms or appear neurotypical in social situations. 

A 2021 study looking at autistic burnout suggested this could be defined as a “highly debilitating condition characterised by exhaustion, withdrawal, executive function problems and generally reduced functioning”, and that it could lead to a person’s autistic traits becoming more pronounced. The National Autistic Society describes this as pervasive, long-term exhaustion lasting for 3 months or more. You can read more about this reaction in our article: What To Know About Autism Burnout

What is the best way to cope with an autism meltdown?  

As mentioned, autism meltdowns are unique to the person experiencing them, and everyone will have different signs and reactions. For this reason, they will usually also have unique coping strategies, so it helps to tune into what yours may be if you regularly experience autism meltdowns. Some degree of trial and error may help you to find what works for you, but here are some potentially helpful coping strategies for an autism meltdown: 

Immediate coping strategies 

• Create a safe environment where you can react in a way that feels natural for you without potential danger. If you are helping a loved one through an autistic meltdown, finding a safe place for them could help, or making sure they know nothing around them will hurt them. 
• Find a quiet, calm space without onlookers so you can avoid embarrassment. While an autistic meltdown is nothing to be ashamed of, some people do find this to be embarrassing if others are watching, so finding a private space to feel what you need to feel can help. If you are helping a loved one through an autistic meltdown, reassure them that it doesn’t matter who is watching, or help them make it to a place where they can be alone. 
• Let a loved one know how a meltdown feels so they can support you when it happens. While it can help to be alone during an autistic meltdown, some people describe a feeling of wanting to escape due to the extreme discomfort associated with meltdowns, so to avoid any self-harm or harmful decisions, it may be best to remain with at least one person you trust if you can. 
• Use calming techniques that work for you, such as breathwork for stress management, stimming to manage anxiety, or techniques such as tapping (sometimes known as Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT) to bring you back into your body and help with emotional regulation.

Long-term coping strategies 

• Understand what is happening in the brain during an autistic meltdown. Studies suggest the brain can react to dysregulation and stressful sensory inputs in a way that treats them as a real threat to survival, and this tends to bring on the fight, flight or freeze response. When this happens, the sensory information usually sent to our brain can stop, making emotional processing more difficult or even impossible. Learning more about the physiological reactions can help you to accept them and move through them with more self-compassion. 
• If sensory overload issues are usually the problem, experiment with ways to manage these triggers instead of avoiding them altogether. You can limit your exposure to these, and find tools or resources that may work to help you manage any stress you feel during sensory overload. 
• Understand that you may not feel like yourself during a meltdown. Research has found people describe their experience of meltdowns this way, so accepting this instead of fighting against it can help you to better understand your reaction during these times, and why you may take unexplainable actions. 
• If socialising tends to cause meltdowns, you could try setting boundaries to manage social demands in future. Try reducing the number of social events you attend, managing specific subjects in conversations to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and giving yourself time to recharge between social gatherings. 
• Learn what preventive measures you could put in place to avoid stressful situations or triggers that lead to meltdowns. This might be things like managing your routine so you don’t come into contact with triggers, using sensory tools to manage any unavoidable contact with triggers, or including some of the above calming techniques in your routine to manage stress on a daily basis.

If someone you love is having an autism meltdown, the best thing you can do for them is to stay calm yourself, speak quietly, and acknowledge this is hard for them while reassuring them that they are safe and the feelings they are having will pass. 

Keep in mind that while it may be tough to watch them have such an intense reaction, this is an involuntary reaction they cannot easily control, and they will have a desire to end the meltdown in the same way you do. Let them have the space and time to regulate their emotions, as this will always be the best way to help them through this. It is important never to make them feel ashamed of the reaction. 

You can ask them about their experience and the feelings they have to better understand them, but it may be best to do this when the meltdown has passed and they feel more open to speaking about it. If the person likes to have sensory objects, you could offer to bring these, some water, something soft to sit on if they are on the floor, or anything they need to avoid the initial trigger, such as noise cancelling headphones. If you know you will both be in a situation where a meltdown could occur, taking these items along with you could help to avoid a meltdown in the first place.

What support is there for autism meltdowns?  

Autism meltdowns remain misunderstood, which could be why they are often difficult to manage. However, alongside the above coping strategies that you can employ yourself or with your loved ones, there are other support options available. Many autism-friendly areas, events and experiences exist to help autistic people avoid meltdowns, such as quiet haircuts that won’t overwhelm them during personal grooming appointments, autism-friendly events focused on providing a more inclusive environment, calm shopping hours allowing autistic people time to shop in peace, and more. 

In addition, professional mental health support in the form of therapy is available for those looking to manage their autism meltdowns long-term. You can speak to your GP about the options available in your area, however many people choose to speak with private therapists to avoid long wait times for appointments. If you are interested in learning more about the private options available to you, you can read more in our article: What to expect from an adult autism assessment

If you are autistic, a psychiatrist can create a plan with different therapy approaches to support you with whatever will make life easier, including tools to help manage meltdowns if you tend to experience these regularly. This may include things like psychoeducation, therapy, coaching, support groups or medication, depending on your symptoms and triggers. Meltdowns do not have to run your life, so if this is something you are struggling with, reach out to find out how professional support could help you regain control.

At Augmentive, we believe advice and support for autistic people should always be bespoke and tailored to the individual to help with their specific symptoms, traits and triggers. So whether you’re feeling off-kilter or want to shake up your routine, our state-of-the-art mental wellbeing platform gives you quick and seamless access to world-class support on your terms, from a private adult autism assessment or AuDHD assessment, to help finding an autism specialist near you to support you on your journey.

If you have a question about mental health, like what an AuDHD dual diagnosis means, we’re here to assist on your journey. Our free 15 minute consultation can guide you to the most relevant specialists to answer your questions and discuss next steps.

DISCLAIMER: The content published by Augmentive is not designed to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Always consult your GP or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition and before starting any therapy, diet, exercise, or any other health-related programme.