A milder meltdown might require only a few minutes of quiet time, while greater distress might require 15 minutes or more of recovery. The duration of the quiet time depends on the severity of the distress and the needs of the child. Leaving the situation removes them from the distressing stimuli and allows them to rebalance. It is better to leave their own space for few hours so they have time to recover themselves.Ī good portion of meltdowns are due to sensory overload, a phenomenon that happens when there are too many stimuli and a person becomes overwhelmed. Going outside, retreating to their calming down corner, or going to their room are all good ways to help an autistic child to calm down. This is incredibly distressing, especially if the child is already feeling overwhelmed. A long bear hug may help them feel better.ĭo not force a hug on the child or hold them down. Thus, you should respond patiently and compassionately.Ī tight hug provides deep pressure, which helps them feel calm and secure. It is far more likely to aggravate the situation.ĭuring a meltdown, a child needs, most of all, an opportunity to relax. Therefore, shouting, yelling, or hitting them will do nothing to help in this situation. experiencing all sorts of negative emotions. So here are a few precautions regarding autistic meltdown:ĭuring a meltdown, the child may feel confused, agitated, frustrated, overwhelmed, or scared-i.e. Therefore, it is important to develop an effective way of dealing with them and minimizing their occurrence. When a child with autism has a meltdown, it is equally stressful for parents. A meltdown is a difficult situation to handle for most parents because they occur when the child becomes stressed out, upset or over stimulated.
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