In this situation, it could be helpful to listen to calming music on headphones to block out loud noises and to wait until everyone has got off the train before approaching the platform to avoid crowds of people. For example, for someone who is over-sensitive to touch and sound, people brushing past them and a loud announcement at a train station could cause pain and sensory overload, leading to a meltdown. They may be over-sensitive to some senses, under-sensitive to others and often a combination of both. Many autistic people have sensory differences. Everyone with autism is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers. Once you have a clearer idea what may be triggering meltdowns, think about ways you might minimize that trigger. ![]() You may find that meltdowns occur at particular times, in particular places, or when something particular has happened. Record what happened before, during and after each meltdown. If your family member or the person you support has meltdowns, identify what is overwhelming for them. Strategies to consider include distraction, diversion, helping the person use calming strategies such as fiddle toys or listening to music, removing any potential triggers, and staying calm yourself.Ī meltdown is a reaction to an overwhelming experience. At this stage, there may still be a chance to prevent a meltdown. They may start to exhibit signs of anxiety such as pacing, seek reassurance through repetitive questioning or physical signs such as rocking or becoming very still. Many autistic people will show signs of distress before having a meltdown, which is sometimes referred to as the “rumble stage”. Ask people to move along and not to stare, turn off loud music and turn down bright lights – whatever you can think of to reduce the information overload, try it. * Make space – try to create a quiet, safe space as best you can. * Calmly ask them (or their parent or friend) if they’re OK, but bear in mind they’ll need more time to respond than you might expect. * Give them some time – it can take a while to recover from an information or sensory overload. It can make a world of difference to someone with autism and their carers. If someone is having a meltdown, or not responding to you, don’t judge them. ![]() Other behaviors that may appear are less explosive but are equally common, such as refusing to interact, withdrawing from situations they find challenging, or avoiding them altogether. Meltdowns are not the only way a person with autism may express feeling overwhelmed. When a person is completely overwhelmed, and their condition means it is difficult to express that in appropriate way, it is understandable that the result is a meltdown. A meltdown is not bad behavior and should not be treated as such. ![]() This loss of control can be expressed verbally (like shouting, screaming, crying), physically (like kicking, lashing out, biting) or in both ways. It happens when someone becomes completely overwhelmed by their current situation and temporarily loses behavioral control. What is a meltdown?Ī meltdown is ‘an intense response to overwhelming situations’. If your family member or the person you support has meltdowns, find out how to anticipate them, identify their causes, and minimize their frequency. You can understand autism, the person and what to do if you see someone having a meltdown. Many autistic people will experience meltdowns.
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