Meltdowns?

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Everything I read about Aspergers tells me that aspies have meltdowns and this is very common. I don't think I've ever had a meltdown though. Are meltdowns really so widespread that I'm the odd one out for not having them or does it vary per person?

It varies.

Shutdown is often the overload alternative. I've never had a meltdown that I recall, but shutdown I definitely have.

I don't remember having meltdowns when I was a kid though I definitely had shutdowns. My meltdowns started with puberty though they are still not as often as shutdowns.

I was diagnosed with Asperger's recently. I don't recall having meltdowns until two years ago, when I had an autistic burnout. Pressure started to be extremely high and I could not find any ways to cope anymore. I definitely had a shutdowns before that however. Now, I have made various changes in my life, accepted I was an aspie, reduced pressure, and I stopped having meltdowns. In the end, I don't think it's all Aspies who have meltdowns, but that they are prone to it under certain circumstances, such as too much stress or sensory inputs.

A "melt down" is actually an NT word for when someone on the spectrum has a normal, age appropriate tantrum, or tries to assert or express themselves in an environment which is not empathetic or sympathetic to their needs.