Having a plan will not stop relapses, but it can help mitigate relapses and help adults with autism and others normalize those relapses that are part of their experience with autism. In this way, they won’t develop an aversion to their emotional reactions and may become better at understanding and overcoming them.Īs a parent, it helps to learn to recognize the signs of meltdowns so you can keep your child safe and help them regain control and self-control.īecause each child with autism is unique, with different abilities, relationship levels, communication, and sensory processing profiles, it is impossible to have a one-size-fits-all approach to disorder management. Intervening in your child’s emotional response is not always the healthiest or the best option.Ī great way to help your child is to take them to a safe and quiet room where they can work through their emotions until they calm down.
#Calming an autistic meltdown how to#
It’ll take some trial and error on your part to figure out how to successfully calm your child, but with enough practice change becomes possible. Learning what makes your child nervous and how to calm them down can improve the quality of your child’s and your family’s life.īecause no two people with autism are the same, managing autism meltdowns can be very individual.
Benefits of learning to effectively handle a meltdown By following some of these tips, you can make life more enjoyable and easier for yourself, your children, and the rest of your family. Some of the tips, tricks, and strategies mentioned in this article may not apply to your child but may help others. If a repeated autism crisis poses a challenge to your family, then it may be necessary that you seek help from a specialized therapist who can help you formulate a plan to improve your loved one’s behavior.Īn ABA therapist can help you develop your own personalized strategy for what to do and what not to do when a breakdown occurs. Where can I learn how to manage an autism meltdown? Our ultimate goal as parents is to help our children become independent, so once you know what causes your child to break down, it's time to take up the pen and find coping strategies your child can use when faced with things that they find overwhelming. Even well-functioning children can "collapse" in situations that would be only slightly difficult for their peers. Tantrums can be resolved with a specific type of response, while the same response can overwhelm the child during a breakdown. Tantrums can be difficult to manage, so it can be hard to distinguish between the two types of tantrums (and respond appropriately) if you're unsure of your child's sensory cues. These tantrums may be more frequent when the child is tired or not feeling well, but there is usually a purpose behind it. Unlike relapses, a child who throws a tantrum is in control of their behavior and is more likely to stop acting when they get what they want. There are many behaviors that occur when a child loses the ability to remain calm or regulated. While it hurts to see your child become overwhelmed and frustrated, it can help you recognize when your child is experiencing sensory overexertion. Perhaps the worst thing about a sensory disorder is the degree to which a child loses control. On the other hand, a crisis is when a child loses control of their behavior and only a parent can calm them down, or when they reach a point of exhaustion. Once the goals of their tantrum have been achieved then the emotions tend to resolve themselves. During a tantrum, a child retains some sense of control over their emotions. The biggest difference is in the amount of control and restraint left available to the child.
What is an autism meltdown?ĭespite the similarities between a meltdown and a tantrum, the two experiences are fundamentally different. But, with compassion and education, you can improve these difficult situations for everyone involved. Just like a temper tantrum will never be a walk in the park, neither will an autistic meltdown.
Naturally, this makes them more challenging to work through when compared to an ordinary temper tantrum.įortunately, with the proper skills and knowledge, you can smooth out some of the more challenging parts of an autism meltdown. They have a longer duration and involve a wider range of more powerful emotions. Although they do share similarities, an autistic meltdown tends to be much more intense. An autism meltdown is similar to tantrums and sensory overload in children with autism.
0 kommentar(er)
