Autistic Shutdown

[DearOchreAnt]

Longtime lurker, first time poster. Need some advice as I just don't know what to do. My 13 year old high functioning ASD/ADHD DS has entered an autistic shutdown. We have been here before but this time it is different, he has become completely mute. He is emotionally/socially about 8 or 9. We can identify that the last couple of weeks have taken their toll on him, the lack of school routines and lots of new experiences in the holidays (we are in Scotland). He's burnt out but this is new. Has anyone experienced this? He is communicating with notes and sign language, he writes he is inside a shell and can't speak. He is not distressed, just distant. It is over 48 hours now of silence,he is usually never quiet for a second, talking and singing constantly. Any help appreciated.

My high functioning asd daughter has had similar episodes. She 20 now at Uni but living at home and 2 days ago she stopped using her voice for 24 hours. She communicated by texting and signing. When she resumed talking she explained her throat was sore and needed to rest it. I don't know whether this could be a reason with your Son? It's interesting he said he's in his shell. Maybe he needs some time to recharge and feels safe in his shell. I'm sorry I don't have any answers but hope this will be shortlived and you soon hear your son's voice back.

We had meltdowns leading to total shutdown on holiday. Can you go home? We had to leave 3 days into our last holiday last year (just 1 hour drive away from home in a holiday let not too different from our own home) and haven't been away/out of the house overnight since. I would go home immediately and expect that he might need weeks if not months back at home in his usual routine before he speaks again/is back to normal. My dc couldn't tolerate any light or noise or talking for months following the holiday. They're starting to get better now about 1 year after. Nothing dramatic had happened on holiday, we didn't even take them on outings and it was very secluded, they didn't even meet other people. It was just a different place, different noises, different smells, etc