![]() Next, tantrums are generally goal-oriented and occur in response to an unfulfilled desire. While tantrums are most common among neurotypical children, autistic individuals can experience meltdowns throughout their lives. It’s important to know, however, that while they may appear similar, a meltdown is not a temper tantrum and should not be treated as such. If your child is having an meltdown, it may look like a normal “temper tantrum”. Today, we’re taking a look at the key features of an autism related meltdowns and the best strategies to prevent, prepare, and recover from them. What triggers autism related meltdowns? The exact triggers will be unique to each person, and should be analyzed by specialists to come up with very specific responses, but triggers generally fall into the following categories: sensory overload, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties. This could be expressed verbally (shouting, screaming, crying), physically (kicking, lashing out, biting), or in several other ways. This can trigger a fight, flight, or freeze response, making it difficult for the individual to regulate their sensory processing and behavioral responses. When an autistic individual becomes overwhelmed or overstimulated by a situation, they may experience extreme distress and temporarily lose control of their behavior. Our Include Autism toolkit contains resources to help autistic young people describe situations that might cause them to feel overwhelmed.Autism related meltdowns are sometimes involuntary responses to overwhelming/overstimulating situations, feelings, or environments. ![]() A shutdown can be like a reset for an autistic person. The best remedy for a shutdown is giving the person the space to rest, recuperate and recover without placing additional demands on them. The best way to find out what causes someone to have a meltdown is to ask them or someone who knows them well. It can be very difficult and distressing to support someone during a meltdown, so knowing what to do in advance is key. For example, allowing children and young people to wear ear defenders in noisy rooms or dimming the lights to create a less harsh ambience. Preemptive planning can really help to mitigate against triggers that might lead to a meltdown.įor example, you can reduce anxiety related to uncertainty about certain situations by providing information about what to expect in advance - such as a visual timetable or agenda.Īnother way to reduce the likelihood of a meltdown is to create environments that don't overwhelm the senses. How to help prevent meltdowns and shutdowns As they are at a reduced ability to process what is going on they may struggle to communicate as they normally do, which can mean they are mute or have a lot of difficult forming coherent sentences. In a shutdown an autistic person might not seem themselves because they're so overwhelmed that their focus has shifted to the basic functions. Watch Ambitious about Autism’s Youth Patrons explain what a shutdown is and how to support someone when it happens.Īn analogy for a shutdown is like a computer trying to turn on but it can't because there isn't enough power to do so.
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