This may include visuals, or music…whatever works best. Some people may still need help to calm themselves even after the energy from the meltdown is spent. Having an effective calming routine in place for both children and adults is very helpful. Personally, I love the unapologetically non-violent Low Arousal Approach, which in my opinion is one of the best strategies available for coping with meltdowns. Have a strategy in place to keep the individual and yourself safe from harm. Individuals with autism may unintentionally hurt themselves or others during their meltdowns. There is no stopping a meltdown in progress.ġ)Ensure safety. The goal for the support person at the height of a meltdown is to ensure safety, knowing the meltdown will continue until the energy is spent. In fact, safety becomes the focus of attention during the autistic meltdown. autistic meltdown is the body’s attempt to gain equilibrium by expending energy, safety concerns often loom large. What Can I Do To Help A Person Having An Autistic Meltdown?Īs Judy Endow says in her wonderful blog post on the topic: A person with autism has no control over their meltdowns, and will not benefit from the normal measures to reduce tantrums like distraction, hugs, incentives to ‘behave’, or any form of discipline. They are the response of an external stimulus overload that leads to an emotional explosion (or implosion).ģ)To put it simply: tantrums are an angry or frustrated outburst, while autistic meltdowns are a reaction to being overwhelmed. They can occur when the person with autism is entirely alone.
An autistic meltdown will occur with or without an audience. Tantrum behaviour will usually stop when the parent ignores the behaviour, when the child is removed from a public space where the behaviour is occurring, or when the child gets whatever it is they want (although this is not necessarily the best way to deal with tantrums). For someone with autism, when they reach the point of sensory, emotional, and information overload, or even just too much unpredictability, it can trigger a variety of external behaviours that are similar to a tantrum (such as crying, yelling, or lashing out), or it can trigger a complete shutdown and withdrawal.Ģ)Tantrums need an audience. An autistic meltdown on the other hand is all about being overwhelmed.
Either the frustration at not getting what they want, not being able to do what they want, or even not being able to communicate what they want properly. While tantrums in young children can be more frequent when they are tired, hungry or not feeling well, they are always goal oriented.
A tantrum in a young child typically stems from frustration from not getting what they want in that moment: wether it is a toy, being able to button up their own shirts, or not wanting to go to bed. How can you tell an autistic meltdown from a tantrum?ġ)Goal oriented vs overload.
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