Helping Your Child Handle Meltdowns

Meltdowns are big, out-of-control reactions that may affect children with autism. They happen when feelings become too much. Unlike normal tantrums, meltdowns are involuntary - your child cannot stop them once they start. Meltdowns can be scary for parents and kids. But you can help avoid them and help your child recover. Here are some tips:

Watch Closely for Early Signs

Look for early signs a meltdown is coming. Your child may get cranky, restless, or avoid eye contact. Pay attention to see if they are feeling overwhelmed. Step in as soon as you see early signs starting. Help take your child’s attention away from whatever is upsetting them. Give them a chance to calm down before reaching a meltdown.

For an early baseline of understanding your child’s development, contact us to schedule a free screening. Click here to learn more!

Keep Regular Routines

Kids with autism do best with predictable schedules and routines. When life is orderly, there is less chance of sensory overload. Try to stick to regular times for meals, activities, schoolwork, and bedtime. Prepare your child in advance for any changes, even small ones! Let them know if you need to do something different from the regular routine. Adjusting to change is hard. Consistent routines mean fewer meltdown triggers.

Provide Calming Sensory Tools

Have sensory tools easily available to help your child stay calm. Keep items like fidget spinners, headphones, weighted blankets, and deep-pressure vests in the car, bedroom, or backpack. 

Teach Coping Skills 

When your child is calm, practice skills like deep breathing, counting, and positive self-talk. These can control big feelings before a meltdown starts. Praise them when you see them using coping skills on their own.

Avoid Too Much Stimulation

In public, choose quieter areas with less background noise and distraction. Avoid crowded spaces and long waiting times that easily overload the senses. If overstimulation starts, make an exit. Explain you forgot something and promise to come back when it’s less busy. Don’t force your child past their limits.

Stay Patient During Meltdowns 

When a meltdown starts, your child cannot control their reaction. Stay calm and do not punish them. Gently guide them to a quiet space to get through the meltdown. Offer support but don’t overwhelm them.

Discuss it Afterwards

Once the meltdown ends and your child feels better, discuss what happened. Ask what triggered it and how they felt leading up to it. Brainstorm ways to handle it better next time, like using a coping strategy sooner. Talking it through builds their awareness.

Get Specialist Help if Needed 

Children’s Developmental Services offers several programs for support, which can be found here.

If meltdowns become long or violent, contact your pediatrician or psychologist. A specialist can evaluate factors making meltdowns worse. They can work with you to customize a safety plan. With preparation and compassion, you have power to minimize meltdowns. Teach healthy ways to control emotions and handle feeling overwhelmed. Your consistent support will help your child build resilience.

And support from the great staff at Children’s Developmental Services can help you with difficult parenting situations. Please call (307) 682-2392 with questions!