Autistic shutdown

Marked withdrawal, mutism, slowing, loss of skills after overload/stress

RoutineReview due

At a glance

Refusal of intake, dehydration, severe self-neglect, psychosis, catatonia, suicidality.

Watch forRefusal of intakedehydrationsevere self-neglectpsychosis

Developmental onset and restricted/repetitive or sensory features are central.

Separates the Autism / Intellectual Disability / ADHD / Developmental Overlap group. It is not specific to Autistic shutdown.

Rows marked “Whole group”: Applies to the Autism / Intellectual Disability / ADHD / Developmental Overlap group — not specific to Autistic shutdown

Marked withdrawal, mutism, slowing, loss of skills after overload/stress

Key features

Refusal of intake, dehydration, severe self-neglect, psychosis, catatonia, suicidality.

High-risk causes6 causes

Applies to the Autism / Intellectual Disability / ADHD / Developmental Overlap group.

Developmental onset and restricted/repetitive or sensory features are central.

Helpful clues

Applies to the Autism / Intellectual Disability / ADHD / Developmental Overlap group.

None listed

Priority steps

Applies to the Autism / Intellectual Disability / ADHD / Developmental Overlap group.

None listed

Core tests

Applies to the Autism / Intellectual Disability / ADHD / Developmental Overlap group.

None listed

Consider

Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.