I have made a 'shutdown card', any thoughts?

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Can't you get like a medic-alert bracelet (or other jewelry type thing.. pendant maybe?) with a card on the inside? I thought I saw someone mention that. When someone sees that (usually it has a Star of Life on it, I think) they're more likely to believe that there's an actual condition, whereas just a card may not be taken very seriously, or may be considered something you're just using to get out of something. It may not help much with peer situations like in a dorm, but it's something that any emergency personnel (and probably campus security?) would be taking seriously.

That happened to me. I had a major shutdown at a music festival but couldn't manage to get my card out and give it to a first aid worker.
I think I might make one though, because now people I know accompany me at gigs.

Also, how many people have heard of buttonsandmore.com? I found out about it after reading a sticker "My child has autism, what's your excuse?' on the back of some car. It has over 200 badges that you can buy with various messages about autism and asperger's. I like the "I'm not naughty, I have autism' one.
I think that having an autism badge might help too. But the card provides more information.

Thank you. I was starting to think I was a complete moron. The person who wrote the oP kinda did specify better what occurs during her shutdowns where it doesn't sound like it would be an issue (unless they fall asleep of course), but some other people's descriptions of shutdowns sound very much like something where you can kick them, they appear nonresponsive, and that generally means CPR in many people's mind. While I do check for a pulse and breathing, I don't assume everyone is going to. There are people with zero training who will still attempt to perform it if they think it will save your life. I really didn't mean it to only be CPR as much as any kind of unnecessary medical attention. Someone may think she was experiencing shock and immediately lay her down, wrap her in blankets, and lift her feet up while constantly checking the ABC's for CPR until the paramedics arrive, which totally breaks the "please don't touch me" clause on the card.

Even then, I do remember being at a bar one night. At closing time, I went outside and saw my future (now current) brother-in-law in a fight with about 10 dudes by himself. So I jump in right about the time it breaks up. Well, one of his friends (who wasn't in the fight but shows up afterwards, go figure huh) was standing near me, and one of the other guys we were fighting walks up to him and punks him by grabbing the side of his head and pushing him where he landed on the other side of his head on concrete. He was out cold, and I was the only person close to him to respond, and the only one sober enough to realize a situation immediately. So I go and immediately check pulse and breathing. I promise you, I never felt a pulse, and I checked in the neck as I rarely feel it on people's wrists. I couldn't really tell if he was breathing either, and it wasn't like I had a mirror on me to check. But then I noticed a bunch of blood pouring out the bottom of his head running down the pavement, then I actually started to freak a little (and sadly, was worried about getting it on my shoes, but I do in my defense have a serious OCD issue when it comes to stepping in things). By this time, people noticed what was going on, but they all stood in shock and wouldn't go call 911 no matter how hard I screamed at them to do so. A drunk lady came by and said she was a nurse, and she admited she was completely drunk. She really took care of things, checked his eyes and all. I ended up running in the bar to call 911 (and I think I had a cell phone on me, so I wasn't thinking straight obviously). He ended up being fine after the smelling salts, but he truly looked like he might of needed CPR when he didn't. If the nurse didn't show up, then I probably would have started the chest compressions. But that isn't relevant to a shut down, but I'm saying that some situation confuse people really easily. I promise you, if that punk tried to sue me for helping his pathetic butt, I would probably then put him in a situation where he did need CPR, and then I'd recucitate him back to life just to prove a point.

Thank-you for the idea of the shutdown note. Since yesterday I have been working on my own version, based on yours. Mine is more of a 'meltdown' note:

I made one too. It's around the size of a business card and folds out. I made a few and put them in my bag and purse. I'm hardly ever without them.


My name is Shanti and I am handing you this card
because I have Asperger's syndrome and cannot
communicate verbally right now.

Unfold card for more details

.................................................................................

When I'm under a lot of stress I can become non-verbal
temporarily.
If this is happening now you will notice I'm very quiet,
making no eye contact, making repetitive moments
with fingers, hands or legs (stimming) and appear to be
withdrawn.
.................................................................................

I require to be taken to a quiet area to calm down.
I do not require any medications.

If I appear angry I do not like to be touched or
shouted out. This will make me worse.
I am not a violent person but under stress I have little
control over my emotions.
..............................................................................

If in Sydney

Emergency contact no.

Address:

...............................................................................

If in Nowra

Emergency contact no.

Home no.

Home address:
.................................................................................

Hmmm, that's handy. I am going to add something like that to mine.

Finally! I had a 'shutdown' on Friday instead of a meltdown. The recovery has taken quite some time, though, because I didn't have the opportunity to sleep it off.

This was the first time ever that I was able to experience a managed process rather than getting obsessive over the issue that triggered it all. Although it was still an unpleasant experience, at least for the first time I at least didn't upset or offend anyone, and that's a big victory. I took notes of what worked and didn't work during the recovery, so that I can develop some best practices.

Does anyone know the chemistry of what happens during a shutdown/meltdown? It would be very helpful ifI could explain this to my best friend, as he still does not seem to easily understand the difference between a neurological thing like this, and a psychological thing, such as when someone just pouts and throws a tantrum in order to prove a point or to communicate something in a dramatic way. It is really important for our relationship for him to understand some of this. Can a meltdown be compared in some way to something like an epileptic seizure? I mean, I know it doesn't look the same, but is it neurochemically comparable?

I've started to wonder if I shouldn't take a different one with me for when I go clubbing. Most people are pretty cool with me, but I get the occasional ones who tease or provoke me or touch me without my permission. On two occasions I have hit someone there. I broke one guy's glasses, and I got a big bruise on my knuckles after repeatedly hitting another guy in the face because he wouldn't fall over. I don't think it's a good thing that I use violence, but it does seem to get the message accross in a way which regular body language and words can't do. The risk of me getting violent doesn't stop me from going out, because I need to dance in order to stay sane; but I think these guys need to be warned properly. Maybe if they know they are messing around with someone who has some kind of weird 'condition', they will feel guilty and back off. Kind of like when a deaf mute hands you a card. I don't know if it would work...

I have Asperger's Syndrome. The management of ____ (name of my favourite club) allow me to come here to do some stimming in the form of dancing. Stimming is an activity conducive to maintaining a healty neurophysiology in autistic people. Please leave me alone, as your interference with my actions could trigger a neurochemical process which can be harmful.

I think that sounds nice and technical!

Of course, some people may then be even more determined to provoke me to see what this harmful event might look like, but at least they will have been warned.

It sounds good. Maybe you could simplify it a bit though.

I'll look up the PDF article I have on shut downs. It may be helpful to you.

Thank-you, yes, I would appreciate the information. Meltdowns/shutdowns are my big aspie "issue"; my other problems are not that severe. If it weren't for meltdowns, I may not have ended up at a psychiatrist and got an AS diagnosis.

http://www.shutdownsandstressinautism.com/

I hope that helps.

I might need to make a card like that!

Great idea.

Looks very good.

As an NT who gets confused inside the Aspie world, I think this is a great idea. I would find it most helpful if someone handed me a card that told me what to do. I applaud you for being pro-active. It's a GREAT idea.