![]() ![]() Over time, you may also notice warning signs that a meltdown might happen. What a meltdown looks like will be very specific to your child. “It just feels different” is a phrase that is often said. Most parents can very clearly describe when their child has experienced a meltdown, even if they have never heard the term before. TODDLER MELTDOWN HOW TOBelow is more information on how to determine if your child is experiencing a meltdown and how to help when they are going through one. ![]() As adults, we are there to be a calm, supportive presence for our kids, modeling how to handle big feelings and giving them a safe space to process them. The good news is that our response to both tantrums and meltdowns can be very similar. ![]() You may not know right away if your child is experiencing a typical tantrum or a meltdown, and that’s okay. We think of tantrums as something that kids ultimately outgrow, but meltdowns often persist for people on the autism spectrum without the right supports. The autistic community describes a meltdown as a complete overload of a person’s system and senses, which can result in a temporary loss of control over one’s body or ability to process information ( source). Often the words “meltdown” and “tantrum” are used interchangeably for young children, but it is important to note that for individuals on the autism spectrum, these words describe two distinct experiences. With teaching, patience, and empathy, tantrums lessen over time for most children as they are better able to express their needs and process their emotions. At this point, a child cannot yet understand and express all that they are experiencing, and that is frustrating! This is true for both autistic and allistic children. They are typical and expected part of toddler development, and in many ways, are related to skill deficits. Tantrums are a big burst in anger or frustration in young children. If you spend any time scrolling parent blogs or social media, you’ll inevitably come across anecdotes of toddlers having tantrums over their toast being cut the wrong way or leaving a favorite park. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |