Learn more about Autism with these Tools and Resources:
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity: http://amzn.to/1MeQvSu
Autism Breakthrough: The Groundbreaking Method: http://amzn.to/1PiTfUb
101 Games and Activities for Children With Autism: http://amzn.to/1Ru8qsR
Stack It Peg Game With Board Occupational Therapy Game: http://amzn.to/1Zd77Us
The Asperkid's (Secret) Book of Social Rules: http://amzn.to/1OlWHga
Watch more How to Understand Autism videos: http://www.howcast.com/videos/516106-3-Reasons-Kids-w-Autism-Have-Meltdowns-Autism
So what are the common causes of meltdowns in children with autism? Well, various triggers, and we know based on the diagnosis of autism, these kids have sensory sensitivities, have difficulty with rigidity and routine. You have to look at some of these areas, as whether there's been a noise that's been bothering them, for example the vacuum cleaner for example or I had a child who was covering his ears and running around the playground suddenly because he was hearing the sound of an airplane flying in the sky before the parents could actually see it. So sometimes you don't quite know what the trigger is and it's a matter of being a detective. But if you know your child has sensory issues or auditory issues, be prepared when you go out to malls and noisy places, because that can definitely be a trigger for a meltdown.
A lot of these children have a sensory regulation issue so when overloaded by activity and sound, or if their tired, or hungry and sleepy they're more likely to have meltdowns. So what they could tolerate otherwise they're less likely to tolerate. Frustration, not being able to communicate your needs, and not having the language, can cause a meltdown. Well, common meltdowns could be because you're not getting what you want, and that's OK. That's when limits need to be set and kids can be transitioned and prepared and those meltdowns need to be handled. But if it's a meltdown for a reason you don't understand, you need to be a bit of a detective to try and figure it out. And knowing your child, what the issue is, what is their particular concern for example, whether it's clothing for example, the label at the back of a shirt.
Some kids for example have gluten sensitivity and having had gluten or diary added to their diet, in a hidden formula for example, parents have reported back to me that, "My goodness, I noticed a change in behavior." Or the child became more upset more easily and had more tantrums and meltdowns. So going backwards, but also dealing with it in the moment so that the child does not hurt themselves or hurt anybody else with their meltdown. But going back and really investigating, or finding out what your child needs, to prevent the triggers what stimulates this upset behavior is very important.
One of the things to remember is that a neurological issue is different from a behavioral issue. For whatever reason their fight, flight or freeze response has been triggered & that overrides all the shoulds they've been raised with. Their bodies are being pumped with the bio-chemicals of fear & anxiety & nobody is their best then!
Often times, on sound sensitive days it pays to pay more attention, so you can tell the child that it is an airplane & help the world make more sense to them. It's not just some huge sound taking over their brain, coming at them that they don't know how to react to! It seems so big, should we run & hide? "You're safe honey, it's just an airplane flying overhead."
Textures too can be so loud & almost a negative tactile sensation in the brain, kind of like when you brush your hair the wrong direction, but all the time. The whole world can feel like nails on a chalkboard & the brain is kind of a jerk & will repeat those sounds! Life becomes overwhelming & there's a bottleneck of data to process & it can really hurt!
Having sensory tools a child loves goes a long way. Good sounds that are a pleasure (violin with high notes) or soft comforting textures. Water play, or dry beans & rice or rain & glitter sticks. Notice when their hands go over their eyes or ears & get sunglasses or ear plugs. Try not to bump them. Let them dance or rock themselves if they need to self sooth.
Just simply making the world make more sense & helping define it reliably can really be helpful. Try to never lie to your kid, you have a thousand tells, especially in your voice & you make their world make less sense when tone & words don't match up, which can trigger confusion & their sense of rightness & justice or trigger separation anxieties when they know you aren't doing what you said.
Also, I've found that reducing corn bi-products to help. For some, corn syrup & the many derivatives can make the brain a jangly mess.
I should have read all the links before replying, but I got a little passionate about the topic up in here! 😊
Thank you for the share, I believe the world is always better with a little more compassion & understanding.
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