Shutdown / reboot — give space

Scoping review of 18 studies (qualitative/quantitative/mixed, no controlled trials). Confirms shutdown is characterized by withdrawal, freezing and reduced/absent speech during distress, and that 7 studies described withdrawal from communication driven by distress. Identified facilitators are environmental/aids (calm space, AAC, visual supports). The review explicitly does NOT cover pre-agreed relational protocols such as 'silence means recovery, not rejection' — that exact strategy is underexplored in the literature.

Thematic analysis of autistic-authored online posts. Recovery from autistic burnout is consistently described as requiring rest, solitude, sensory relief and reduced social/sensory demands — supporting the MECHANISM that withdrawal after overload is restorative (a need, not avoidance). It is qualitative/self-report, not an outcome trial, and does not test communicating that need to a partner.

Single-couple (n=1 dyad) descriptive case study of 12 sessions of solution-focused brief therapy; both partners improved on communication and emotional awareness. Not controlled, not randomized, and not a test of the specific 'pre-agree that silence = reboot' protocol; relevant only as the closest relationship-level evidence that structured neurodiverse-couple communication work can help.