Teens with Autism having meltdowns initially show signs of negative behavior. They are completely overwhelmed by their current situation. It is difficult to calm themselves. From there, they become out of control. Anxiety occurs too. 

People with ASD experiencing meltdowns temporarily lose emotional control. Verbal manifestations can be shouting, screaming, and crying. Physically, they may kick, rock, bite, or lash out.

An Autistic “meltdown” is not objective or measurable. Professionals can tell. To others, it can look like a temper tantrum. A regular tantrum may happen in any situation and is spurred by achieving a certain goal. In contrast, autism meltdowns are caused by overload. They are unable to handle the problem at hand. It is not related to a specific goal.

Autism and Meltdowns

Meltdowns can be common and widespread in teens with Autism. It’s both an internal and external struggle.

• Sensory overload
• Lack of verbal ability
• Loss of physical and personal control
• Variety levels of anxiety (chemically)
• The psychological and medical community (diagnose versus temper tantrum)

The good news is that there are warning stages before full meltdowns occur. Calm, triggers, agitation, meltdowns, re-grouping, and then starting over.

• Stimming (Self-stimulating behavior). Rocking, pacing, finger flicking.
• Covering eyes or ears.
• Distressed behaviors (scratching, self-pinching).
• Repeated words or sentences.
• Freezing in their space.

Strategies for Parents

Helping with meltdowns begins with diagnosis. Is it something more? Check it out through clinically tested and evaluated assessments. From there, parents can pursue health, wellness, and medicine.

• Spend the majority of time preventing meltdowns (key).
• Use hand/body signals.
• Avoid reacting to bad behavior.
• Identify what the meltdown looks like.
• Intervene before things get out of hand.

Make sure the child is safe both physically and emotionally (feel safe). You should make sure that you’re safe from physical outbursts. Try to stay calm and emotionally separated. Fight the urge to intervene using reasoning. Trying to discipline during a meltdown is often hopeless. Just focus on stopping the behaviors. Leave reasoning until later.

Self-discovery is the Solution

Stopping meltdowns is often the goal for teens with Autism. Unfortunately, the job belongs exclusively to adults. The teens should learn how to take responsibility too.

• Define “meltdown” using personal views.
• Get to know/identify triggers.
• Ask for a head’s-up for changes in established routines.
• Practice self-monitoring when calm (check-in).
• Discriminate positive and negative stressors.

Meltdowns for teens with Autism are usually impossible to eradicate completely. Look for early signals such as oversensitivity, negative thoughts, and uncontrollable feelings. Work together and take control to decrease frequency.

QUESTION: What strategies do you use for meltdowns?

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