The Autistic Screeching meme typically features a distorted illustration of a character spiraling or vibrating intensely, often accompanied by the onomatopoeic caption in brackets. It gained significant traction in mid-2016 on platforms like 4chan and Reddit as a visual representation of the 'REEEEE' sound effect. The meme is used to mock people who are perceived as overreacting to trivial matters or losing their composure during an argument. Despite its controversial name, the template has become a staple in internet culture for signaling high-pitched, irrational frustration or a total loss of chill in response to a minor inconvenience or a differing viewpoint.