Autism Meltdown: Here’s What Every Autism Parent or Teacher Needs to Know About Meltdowns
Autism meltdowns are often talked about by parents, teachers, and therapists, but what are they? In this blog post, we’ll be looking at what every autism parent or teacher needs to know about meltdowns.
What is an autism meltdown?
A meltdown, also known as an autonomic storm, is a physical reaction to an overloaded or overwhelmed brain. Too much information to process from sensory or cognitive stimuli triggers the autonomic nervous system, which then thinks that the person is in danger. This results in the distressed behaviors we see when a child, teen, or adult with autism cries, lashes out, or self-injures.
The autonomic nervous system is the branch of the nervous system that controls the bodily functions that happen without conscious thought, such as breathing, body temperature, heart rate, and the fight-or-flight response.
What is an autism meltdown like?
A meltdown is a really frightening and overwhelming experience for the individual who is having one. It can also be scary or upsetting to watch, especially for children.
What is the difference between a tantrum and an autistic meltdown?
You may have heard some people use these two terms interchangeably, but a tantrum and a meltdown are actually two very different things.
A tantrum is a deliberate attempt to get something in particular or to gain control over a person or situation. A meltdown, on the other hand, is an involuntary response of the autonomic nervous system.
When someone has a temper tantrum, they are in full control of their behavior and can stop whenever they want to. However, when someone has a meltdown, they temporarily lose control of their behavior and are unable to stop themselves from crying or lashing out.
Many children with autism have both meltdowns and temper tantrums. It’s important for kids with autism and their peers to think about and understand the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown. One way to help them do that is to download these Tantrum or Meltdown Cards.
Signs and symptoms of an autism meltdown
In some cases, there can be warning signs that an individual with autism is about to have a meltdown or is likely to have one later in the day. These will vary from person to person.
You might notice that the individual seems tense, agitated, anxious, or withdrawn. They might, for example, be vocal stimming or motor stimming more than usual. Another warning sign could be a particular change in behavior specific to that person.
A meltdown can start quietly and build up over a certain length of time or it can happen suddenly. During a meltdown, someone might cry, scream, shout, lash out, kick, and/or bite.
Autism meltdowns in teenagers
Meltdowns are not bad behavior, and so kids with autism rarely grow out of having them. In fact, as a child with autism enters adolescence, you may notice that their meltdowns seem to get worse.
Teenagers with autism may experience meltdowns more frequently than they did as a child. Meltdowns might also last longer and become more intense.
These changes can be due to a variety of factors including:
Increased anxiety
Stress
Lack of sleep/need for more sleep
Hormonal changes
Physical growing pains
School pressures
Increase in physical strength, particularly in boys.
What triggers autism meltdowns?
Meltdowns can be triggered by any sensory or cognitive stimuli that overwhelm the brain.
Sensory
Sensory stimuli (or input) means any kind of sound, touch, taste, sight, or smell.
The autistic brain processes sensory input differently. Where most people can easily tune out minor sounds, smells, and sensations — such as background noise, the scent of perfume, or the feeling of their own clothes touching their skin — individuals with autism often cannot. Research suggests that this is because the autistic brain does not habituate (get used to) some stimuli.
It’s easy to imagine how a brain that’s trying to process lots of different sensory inputs all at once could easily become overwhelmed.
Some examples of sensory stimuli which could trigger, or contribute to, an autism meltdown are:
Auditory input (sounds) such as machines, voices, or music. (This can depend on the pitch, frequency, and volume of the noise.)
Tactile input (touch) such as the different textures of clothing, or being touched by people.
Visual input such as patterns, busy places, or lights that are too bright.
Olfactory input such as the smell of food, perfume, people, or animals.
Gustatory input (taste) such as the flavor of foods, drinks, and medicines.
Input from movement, such as travel or exercise, that is too much or too fast.
Cognitive
Cognitive stimuli (or input) can be anything that requires the brain to process information. Some examples of cognitive stimuli which could trigger, or contribute to, an autism meltdown are:
Too much information to process or work out.
Too many thoughts to process simultaneously.
Being subject to a continuous flow of information from TV, films, or social media.
Anxiety during an activity or in anticipation of something that will happen in the future.
How long does an autistic meltdown last?
A meltdown can last anywhere from just ten minutes to an hour or longer. How long a meltdown lasts depends on factors such as the triggers, the situation, the activity, the surrounding environment, and the people involved.
If you’re with someone who is experiencing a meltdown, keeping yourself calm and removing further triggers are two ways you can help reduce the duration of the meltdown.
What to do when an autistic person has a meltdown
“When a student is kicking, biting, banging her head, or screaming, she is most likely miserable, confused, or scared,” writes inclusive schooling advocate Dr. Paula Kluth. “The most effective and the most human response at this point is to offer support; to act in a comforting manner, and to help the person relax and feel safe”.
Someone who is overwhelmed or overloaded doesn’t need your judgment or discipline, they need your care and compassion. When a person with autism is having a meltdown, you should:
Stay calm.
Stay quiet to avoid adding to their auditory overload
Move slowly. (Sudden movements might make them feel as though they are in danger and therefore cause them to become aggressive in order to defend themselves.)
Keep others away.
Give the individual space.
Don’t touch the person without permission.
How do you help someone having a meltdown?
Be calming
Be reassuring
Be patient
Be kind
Be caring
Be thoughtful
Imagine yourself in their shoes. Think about how you would feel and react if you were overwhelmed.
Listen to the individual during the meltdown and afterward.
How do you calm an autistic child during a meltdown?
First, let’s look at what not to do:
Do not try to talk them out of it.
Do not scold them.
Do not threaten or punish them.
How best to calm a child who is experiencing a meltdown depends on their personal preferences. Before a meltdown occurs, try to find out what helps the individual. Some ideas for what might be calming are:
Soft toys or cushions to hug
Something to rock on
Something to jump on
Comforting smells
A drink of water
Calm music or lively pop
Singing
A weighted vest, blanket, or other item
Space
Peace and quiet
Autism meltdown strategies
Figure out what triggers the individual’s meltdowns
Try to figure out exactly what sensory or cognitive stimuli are causing the individual to become overwhelmed. Could it be bright lights? Busy places? Anxiety? You can do this by observation; through conversation with the child and their family; or by keeping a record of where and when the meltdowns occur.
Reduce and avoid triggers where possible
Once you have figured out what the individual’s triggers are, the next strategy is to reduce and avoid these stimuli as much as possible. You may be able to do this by adapting the child’s environment, adapting certain activities, reducing the demands placed on them, giving them more choices, and listening to their needs.
Resources to check out:
I hope you’ve found this helpful!
Kirsten
P.S. If you have any questions about this post or about any of my resources, I’d love to hear from you! You can reach me at kirsten@curriculumforautism.com
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