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HOW TO MANAGE MELTDOWNS
Meltdowns happen when autistic children and teenagers feel completely overwhelmed, lose control of their behaviour, and find it very hard to calm themselves.
Meltdowns are a sign of distress. Meltdowns might include behaviour like rocking, crying, hitting or withdrawing.
Meltdowns are a sign of distress. Meltdowns might include behaviour like rocking, crying, hitting or withdrawing.
Meltdowns vs. Tantrums
A tantrum is an emotional outburst with a specific goal or function.
It is a learned behavioral response used to attain the desired outcome (e.g. , get out of an activity, get a toy).
Tantrums happen deliberately, and the individual maintains control of their body and mind the entire time.
It is a learned behavioral response used to attain the desired outcome (e.g. , get out of an activity, get a toy).
Tantrums happen deliberately, and the individual maintains control of their body and mind the entire time.
Outbursts generally stop after the desired outcome, so recovery is nearly instant.
Contrastingly, meltdowns are involuntary responses to a nervous system overload.
They are the physical manifestation of neurobiological chaos caused by a perceived threat to life.
Contrastingly, meltdowns are involuntary responses to a nervous system overload.
They are the physical manifestation of neurobiological chaos caused by a perceived threat to life.
MELTDOWNS
Meltdowns are not behavioral responses and generally aren’t used to attain a specific outcome.
The reaction is involuntary and cannot be controlled as intense emotions take over, and tension build-up is released via stimming, repetitive movements, zoning out, screaming, crying, stomping, etc.
The reaction is involuntary and cannot be controlled as intense emotions take over, and tension build-up is released via stimming, repetitive movements, zoning out, screaming, crying, stomping, etc.
Once individuals have reached that state, they cannot usually respond to standard behavioral calming cues or techniques.
Recovery time for meltdowns can last up to 20 minutes or more after removing the stressor.
Recovery time for meltdowns can last up to 20 minutes or more after removing the stressor.
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Courtesy of WWW.AUTISMPARENTINGMAGAZINE.COM
Meltdowns have entirely different causes. Because they are triggered by sensory overload, a child on the spectrum having a meltdown can have a few defining characteristics.
Autistic Meltdown Symptoms :
- Start with pre-meltdown signs called “rumblings” which can be verbal or physical behaviors that signal an imminent meltdown
- Be preceded with stimming
- Be caused by overstimulation or an undesirable sensory input
- Not be limited to young children and can also happen to teens and adults
- Happen with or without an audience
- Last longer than tantrums
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Difference between Meltdowns, Tantrums, and Aggression?
Aggression in kids with ASD refers to violent behavior that may include kicking, hitting, throwing objects, punching, and biting.
Aggressive behavior can be directed to others or oneself. Both a meltdown and a tantrum can involve aggression.
Outside of sensory overload that leads to a meltdown, there are other reasons why a child with autism uses aggression.
Aggressive behavior can be directed to others or oneself. Both a meltdown and a tantrum can involve aggression.
Outside of sensory overload that leads to a meltdown, there are other reasons why a child with autism uses aggression.
Some children become violent when an object of comfort is taken away from them, or when they are forced into something they do not want to do.
The key goal of handling aggression is to ensure the safety of the child and others around him/her.
Some strategies would be removing the cause of aggression, providing calming toys and/or activities, and giving your child a safe space where he/she
can calm down.
The key goal of handling aggression is to ensure the safety of the child and others around him/her.
Some strategies would be removing the cause of aggression, providing calming toys and/or activities, and giving your child a safe space where he/she
can calm down.
How to deal with a temper tantrum
Dealing with a temper tantrum is different from dealing with a meltdown.
Children throw tantrums because they want something. This does not mean, however, that you should always give in to every demand behind a tantrum.
Children throw tantrums because they want something. This does not mean, however, that you should always give in to every demand behind a tantrum.
Keep Your Calm
It is easy to get upset when your child is throwing a tantrum, but try to keep yourself calm first before addressing your child’s behavior.
Don’t Give In
The fastest way to stop a tantrum is to give the child what he/she wants. While you can do this on specific occasions when you cannot afford to deal with a tantrum, it is not a great strategy in the long run. Your child will learn that he/she needs to throw a tantrum to get what he/she wants.
Acknowledge your child’s emotions
Instead of telling your child to “stop crying,” you can let him/her know that you understand his/her feelings.
You can validate feelings without giving in. For example, saying something like, “I know you’re upset that you can’t have that toy, but we can’t buy it right now. Maybe next time.”
This lets your child know that you feel bad that he/she feels bad, but there is nothing you can do—for now.
You can validate feelings without giving in. For example, saying something like, “I know you’re upset that you can’t have that toy, but we can’t buy it right now. Maybe next time.”
This lets your child know that you feel bad that he/she feels bad, but there is nothing you can do—for now.
How To Deal With A Meltdown?
As no two kids with ASD are the same, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy on how to handle meltdowns.
Not all meltdown strategies are guaranteed to work on every child on the spectrum.
However, there are some general techniques that can be customized to your child’s behavior and personality.
The best way to prevent your child from having a meltdown is to predict and avoid triggers.
This can be avoiding crowds, establishing a set routine, and planning ahead.
However, when a meltdown is already happening, you can try the following approach:
Not all meltdown strategies are guaranteed to work on every child on the spectrum.
However, there are some general techniques that can be customized to your child’s behavior and personality.
The best way to prevent your child from having a meltdown is to predict and avoid triggers.
This can be avoiding crowds, establishing a set routine, and planning ahead.
However, when a meltdown is already happening, you can try the following approach:
- Leave the room or location to help your child calm down
- Use calming devices like a fidget toy, noise-canceling headphones, or a weighted vest
- Choose a good time when your child is receptive to learning and teach breathing exercises, meditation, and counting from one to ten
- Prevent injuries to your child or others during a meltdown by being in a safe place
- Keep yourself calm as your child can feel your frustration and worsen the meltdown
- Keep your face and voice neutral and be at arm’s length in case the child reaches out
- Children who are in a meltdown can’t be reasoned with so don’t rely on logic
How to prevent meltdowns?
For parents, dealing with ASD meltdowns can be exhausting. Preventing them can be a better strategy than trying to respond to them.
Sometimes you can use the information you know about the child to avoid common triggers:
It might be necessary to improvise if you can not avoid a meltdown trigger.
If you need to skip breakfast because you need to leave early for a trip, pack the child’s breakfast so he/she can still eat it on the way.
Averting a meltdown may not be possible at all times, but here are a few ways to try to prevent them:
Sometimes you can use the information you know about the child to avoid common triggers:
- Know the child’s sensory sensitivities such loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells
- Know the daily routine such as reading a story before bedtime, eating a certain food for breakfast
- Know the child’s favorite things/places such a dinosaur toy, favorite blanket, a specific shop/store
Once you have these pieces of information, it will be easier to identify meltdown triggers and avoid them as much as possible.
It might be necessary to improvise if you can not avoid a meltdown trigger.
If you need to skip breakfast because you need to leave early for a trip, pack the child’s breakfast so he/she can still eat it on the way.
Averting a meltdown may not be possible at all times, but here are a few ways to try to prevent them:
- Inform and prepare your child for any changes in routine
- Acknowledge your child’s emotions and remain supportive
- Divert the child’s attention with objects and toys he/she likes (an autism meltdown kit)
- Teach your child to communicate when he/she is upset
- Offer alternatives to something that is not possible (and the child wants) to make him/her feel like he/she has some control of the situation
- Check and resolve any physical discomfort (hunger, illness, being cold)
- Observe your child closely to identify a meltdown “rumble” so you have time to try and prevent the meltdown
CONCLUSION
Meltdowns, tantrums, and aggression may all be part of raising a child on the spectrum.
While these can be difficult to manage at times, having the right strategies can significantly improve his/her ability to regulate emotions in the future.
As a parent, you know your child best and should, therefore, keep looking for the most effective and safest ways to help your child during a meltdown or tantrum.
While these can be difficult to manage at times, having the right strategies can significantly improve his/her ability to regulate emotions in the future.
As a parent, you know your child best and should, therefore, keep looking for the most effective and safest ways to help your child during a meltdown or tantrum.
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