A meltdown is something that every child experiences. This is especially true for children with autism. Meltdowns can be overwhelming for families to deal with, and can leave family members being unsure on how to help. Understanding what is a meltdown and what caused the meltdown can help support the child in a positive and effective way.
What Does a Meltdown Look Like?
Meltdowns can be described as intense emotional and physical reactions, like screaming, intense crying, or aggressive behavior. In addition, you may notice signs of self-soothing behaviors, which may look like very specific gestures (rocking) or other traits. Meltdowns look different for everyone, and can last for a few minutes or a few hours. Meltdowns don’t just happen with young children - teens and adults can engage in meltdowns, too.
What Triggers Meltdowns?
Many things can cause a meltdown. Here’s a list of common triggers to watch out for:
- Changes in routine: Changes in plans or schedules can be difficult for individuals with autism. Disruptions to established routines can ring alarm bells, which may lead to a meltdown.
- Communication difficulties: Challenges in expressing needs, wants, or frustrations can lead to meltdowns. When the frustrations become too big to handle, meltdowns can occur.
- Sensory overload: Individuals with autism may have heightened sensitivities to certain sounds, lights, textures, or smells. This can cause sensory overload and trigger a meltdown.
How To Help Someone Having a Meltdown
When a person is having a meltdown, try to remain calm. It is important to evaluate the environment and consider safety risks. The following steps can provide a starting place for supporting a meltdown:
- Offer a safe space: If possible, provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment where the individual can retreat and feel safe during the meltdown.
- Use clear, concise statements: When trying to support the child, use very simple, short statements. Instead of saying, “why don’t you go into your safe space and take a break?,” try saying, “go take a nice break” and point to the safe space. This can be less overwhelming for a child and increase the chance of them understanding.
- Allow time: Meltdowns can be physically and emotionally exhausting. After the meltdown has subsided, allow time and space to recover without immediate demands or expectations.
- Debrief and learn: Once the situation has calmed, talk about it. Try to get information to understand what triggered the meltdown. You can use this to explore strategies for the future.
Helping someone through a meltdown isn’t an exact science; every person with autism has unique needs, and establishing respectful, empathetic communication will be one of the best ways to learn what those are.
Read or Download Our Resource: Calm Down Strategies.
Having a Hard Time With Meltdowns?
Meltdowns are hard for everyone involved. But they can be especially hard for children and teens with autism. Big emotions can be hard to manage for kids and teens. Younger people with autism may not yet have the tools they need to recognize what is happening and what they can do instead.
Parents and caregivers can help by understanding what’s going on, assessing the situation, and providing other ways to get their needs met, such as communicating. Working with a BCBA and behavior technician can make it easier to manage and prevent meltdowns.
At Behavioral Framework, we provide ABA therapy services to help kids with autism and their families thrive in their everyday lives. Together, we can help make meltdowns less scary.
Schedule an appointment with a licensed ABA therapist (BCBA) in Maryland, DC, Virginia or North Carolina.