Yet no-one seems to talk about adults with autism having meltdowns. There is much more awareness that a child may not be naughty, that they could be autistic and the National Autistic Society did a recent high profile campaign highlighting the issues when children with autism have sensory overload. According to a 2016 study, it’s common for autistic individuals to feel embarrassed after a meltdown has subsided.īoth during and following a meltdown, it can be helpful to ensure your loved one that you’re there to support them and that it isn’t their fault.There is so much talk about children with autism having meltdowns these days. The heightened emotional state of an autism meltdown is out of an individual’s control. Give them some space and quiet to work through the meltdown at their own pace. Meltdowns can be draining to those who experience them, so Jane suggests maintaining your patience even after it’s over.Īllow autistic people time to recover by considering their sensitivity to sensory input. Decrease sensory stimulation by reducing sensory input in the environment (e.g., close the blinds, turn off excess noise, dim the lighting).Reduce verbal communication by using visual representations and “yes” or “no” questions.Keep your anger or frustration in check.Rather than using reason, try the following instead: “Meltdowns are always a combination of factors and often happen when we become dysregulated or overstimulated by stress, sensory input, sudden changes to our emotions, and more because our body and brain are communicating to us that we have reached (and surpassed) a limit.”ĭuring a meltdown, focusing on sensory and emotional support should be prioritized. “It’s not usually one event, even though it might seem like there’s a triggering event from the outside,” they explain. When it comes to supporting autistic individuals, Jane says that it’s important to remember that there’s no one singular trigger for a meltdown. “It’s an emotional response that you have to ride out.” “You can only try to manage and regulate it in the moment and support us during the recovery afterward,” says Jane.
While an autism meltdown can’t really be controlled, there are strategies that may help diffuse the emotional response. It’s understandable that you’d want to support someone when they’re visibly upset. Supporting an autistic person during a meltdown “It’s really important to understand the difference because meltdowns are never a voluntary choice within our control, and how you respond to a meltdown versus a tantrum is very different.” “Tantrums are often related to a ‘want,’ while meltdowns are related to a trigger,” Jane explains. On the other hand, autism meltdowns aren’t limited to children - anyone with autism can become overstimulated and experience a meltdown.Īdditionally, tantrums are generally goal-oriented. Though neurotypical adults may experience emotional outbursts similar to temper tantrums, generally speaking, “tantrums” are far more common in children. Still, there’s a key difference between the two.
They say the lack of control regarding the situation can trigger a fight, flight, or freeze response, making the meltdowns difficult to regulate. Although older autistic individuals may also experience meltdowns, not all autistic people have them.Īccording to Sonny Jane, a lived-experience educator and consultant on Kaurna Land in Australia, an autism meltdown is an extreme response to something that is upsetting. The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network recognizes meltdowns as a common externalized behavior, particularly among autistic children and adolescents.
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