Some people find music, counting, deep breathing or visuals help to aid the calming routine, experiment with different resources to find what works best. A calming routine can be very helpful for both adults and children, particularly when people need help relaxing after the meltdown energy has been spent. It is important that you stay calm so you don’t amplify the situation. Meltdowns can be extremely stressful, but they typically have a pattern of escalation. Plan out a strategy ahead of time to keep you and your child safe during a meltdown. This can be particularly challenging in public or crowded places, as many kids with Autism feel the need to flee the sensory stimulation that has led to a meltdown. The number one most important thing to do when your child is experiencing a meltdown is to ensure their safety. Additionally, meltdowns are out of the child’s control and once a meltdown has started, it cannot be stopped until the meltdown energy has dissipated. Meltdowns are not goal oriented and don’t require an audience, as a matter of fact, meltdowns can happen when the child is entirely alone. When a child with Autism is exposed to excessive sensory input, such as sounds, smells, or even emotions, they can become overwhelmed and this is when a meltdown occurs. Meltdowns are a reaction to sensory overload. It is important not to give in to tantrums, as kids remember the positive or negative outcomes and giving in to their demands will encourage them to launch into a tantrum in the future. If it is not possible to remove yourself from the situation, you should ignore the behavior. You many even go into another room until the tantrum subsides, if you are in a safe place. For example, a child is told he can’t get a toy at the store, so he launches a tantrum in an attempt to convince his parents to change their minds. This is why you’ll often see a child pause their behavior mid-tantrum and look around to ensure someone is watching before resuming the tantrum again. Tantrums need an audience because the child is actually throwing the tantrum to get what they want. There are countless reasons that kids throw tantrums, but some of the most common include fatigue, hunger, attention seeking, and disappointment. Typically, tantrums begin when a child becomes frustrated and struggles to communicate their needs or wants. What is a tantrumĪ tantrum is goal oriented. It is important to know the differences between the two because it will change the way you need to respond and support your child. In fact, the words are often used interchangeably, but for children with Autism and other sensory issues, a tantrum is very different from a meltdown. To many people, a tantrum and meltdown appear to be the same thing. Kids with Autism, however, often deal with meltdowns as well.

As any parent is aware, tantrums are a common occurrence for young children.

Screaming, crying, kicking, even rolling on the floor…These are all behaviors observed during a tantrum or meltdown.

Meltdown vs tantrum