ASD shutdown?

[FOX26]

Hi everyone

DD is 2 has recently started nursery and is under various professionals for her ASD traits (yet to be diagnosed as we are just getting the ball rolling). I’ve noticed at home she does get quite tired, shuts off, withdraws from time to time and then gets right back to running around etc.

today at nursery they sent her home as she seemed to be resting on staff, withdrawing, yawning etc. she was only there for 30 mins, and I’m wondering whether this could be her way of shutting down. She is VERY sensory and I’m querying whether this response is due to a sensory overload. Is this a thing? Does anyone have any experience?

Yes, shutdown is ‘a thing’. Just like some DC go into fight or flight mode when overwhelmed, some shutdown.

What support is DD receiving? Has she seen an OT? What is DD’s sleeping and eating like?

@KeepGoingThomas thank you so much for your reply DD has meltdowns as well as these shutdown moments. She goes very sort of dazed out and tired, and at nursery today they said she was getting quite upset on top. Her meltdowns include her head banging, hurting herself and others, screaming and being inconsolable etc. Nursery have applied for 1:1 funding and I’m due to have a meeting with them next week regarding the support they’re putting into place, so far they have changed her from afternoons to mornings as the morning sessions are a lot more calmer and quieter, so they’ve been seeing how she is doing on the morning sessions so far. They’ve also discussed that when she’s stimming they feel it is when she’s getting overwhelmed and have said they’re changing activities / taking her to a quieter area when these stims become apparent.

she’s yet to see an OT, fingers crossed a referral will be made in the near future as I feel this would have a positive impact. She’s currently under SALT, the early integrated service, the health visitor has also suggested a referral to peads for an assessment once all reports are back.

her eating is terrible, she has lactulose from the GP due to constipation because of her diet and also has multivitamins to supplement the ones she misses. She has a very limited diet, living off mainly toast and crisps, biscuits etc. we still offer a variety of foods just incase one day she decides to try them. currently the GP won’t refer to a dietician as she’s putting on weight. Which I did find a bit frustrating as a dietician would be able to give me some valuable advice I feel in regards to conditions such as ARFID etc.

her sleep isn’t too bad I must admit, she does sleep okay on the night time however occasionally she does have meltdowns through the night if her baby sister wakes due to not being able to tolerate the crying noise. We’re at a loss with nsensitive to noise, as she hates wearing ear defenders or anything at all on her head. She’s always been like this with certain sounds and she’s very sensitive, so even if we’re downstairs with baby sister she can still hear her and will have a meltdown.
she has dropped her naps in the day by her own accord, she seems full of beans in the day time, so when she has these shutdown moments I’m wondering whether it’s more than tiredness. She came home from nursery right as rain, running round, playing, the lot!

DC having meltdowns as well as shutdowns isn’t uncommon, especially in girls.

It is brilliant nursery seem supportive. You should also request an EHCNA - on their website IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

OT will help. If your ICB offers sensory OT on the NHS (unfortunately, not all areas do) push for a referral. In the meantime, have a look at this booklet and this website. Also, some find The Out of Sync Child book helpful. Also, will DD wear ear defenders or noise cancelling headphones?

If the GP won’t refer for assessment for ARFID, speak to the HV or in some areas you can self refer to dietetics.

@KeepGoingThomas thank you so much. Yes her nursery have been fantastic so far. They’re very on the ball with SEN. I will definitely speak with the nursery regarding an EHCNA.

thank you for providing me with some information, I’ll have a look at those!

also she refuses to wear any sort of headphones/ ear defenders. She won’t even wear hats or gloves etc when it’s freezing!

I had no idea I could ask the HV or self refer to a dietician, I’ll look into this as soon as possible