Support Worker Guide

Shutdown Response Plan

A shared plan for recognising shutdowns, responding with calm, direct support, and refining our approach together over time.

Known Triggers for Shutdown

  • Being asked to make decisions
  • Being asked too many questions
  • Noise

Strategies We Will Now Trial

To help the participant come out of shutdown:

  • Change of environment, such as stepping outside or into a different room
  • Fresh air and sunshine
  • Stretching
  • Vocal stimming (humming, singing, or repetitive sounds)
  • Holding or sucking on ice/frozen items (e.g. frozen grapes, ice blocks/pieces)

If 1–2 Strategies Do Not Work

Give space by stepping away for five minutes.

Important Approach Note

Please use direct prompts rather than offering choices. Offering a choice adds another decision, which can worsen a shutdown. Choose and action ONE strategy directly rather than asking the participant if they would like to do it.

Plan Going Forward

  1. 1. Trial one or two strategies when the participant shows signs of shutdown — the support worker completes the strategy and the participant can engage when ready. For example, the support worker may stretch or vocalise and wait for the participant to join as a way to support movement out of the shutdown zone.
  2. 2. If strategies are not helping, give the participant five minutes of space, letting them know you will be nearby and will check in, or that they can come to you when ready.
  3. 3. Log each shutdown event in the team chat, noting the strategy used, whether it worked, the estimated duration, and the trigger. This will help refine the approach over time.