#Nonverbal autism meltdown how to

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): This system uses picture cards to help children communicate their needs. There are several different communication strategies that you can use, such as: It can also help you to communicate with your child during a meltdown.

#Nonverbal autism meltdown how to

This can help them to understand their triggers and how to avoid them. One of the best ways to manage meltdowns is to develop a communication strategy with your child. This will help to avoid future meltdowns. Once the meltdown has subsided, talk to your child about what happened and help them to understand their emotions. Encourage your child to use coping mechanisms such as deep breathing or relaxation exercises.Īvoid trying to reason with your child during a meltdown. This might be their bedroom or a quiet corner of the house. Help your child to find a safe place to calm down. Let your child know that you are there for them and that you understand how they’re feeling. Was there a particular event or situation that set it off? If so, try to avoid that trigger in the future. This is often difficult, but it’s important to model calm behavior for your child. When a meltdown does happen, try to stay calm. This could include deep breathing, visualization, or positive self-talk. This will help them to prepare for the activity and hopefully prevent a meltdown.įinally, help your child to develop coping skills that they can use when they’re feeling overwhelmed. If you know that a particular activity is going to be challenging for your child, give them a warning beforehand. This can help to prevent a meltdown from happening. Before you go into a situation that may be triggering for your child, take some time to plan and prepare. This will help your child to feel secure and know what to expect.

Try to stick to a regular daily routine as much as possible. There are several things you can do to prevent meltdowns from happening in the first place. Increased aggression or self-injurious behaviors.Loss of speech or increased use of echolalia (repeating someone else’s words).Fixating on one thing or becoming obsessed with a particular topic.There are several signs that a child with ASD is about to have a meltdown. What Are the Signs of an Impending Meltdown? When this happens, it’s important to stay calm and follow the steps below.

However, sometimes meltdowns are unavoidable. If you know what triggers your child’s meltdowns, you can try to avoid them. However, there are some common triggers that you should be aware of, such as: Every child is different, so what triggers a meltdown for one child may not be the same for another. What Causes A Meltdown?īefore you can manage a meltdown, it’s important to understand what causes them. ADOS 2 uses a set of activities and questions to observe social and communication skills as well as repetitive behaviors. This method is the gold standard for diagnosing ASD. If you’re in the state of Texas, Developmental Pediatrics offer both telemedicine and in-person testing using The Autism Diagnostic Observation Scales 2 (ADOS 2) method. The cause of ASD is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This leads to meltdowns, which are sudden outbursts of anger or frustration. Children with ASD often have difficulty regulating their emotions and become overwhelmed. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?Īutism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social skills, communication, and behavior. Despite having different triggers, the result is the same-the child becomes overwhelmed and struggles to cope.įortunately, there are strategies to manage meltdowns in children with ASD. For some, they are triggered by a change in routine, while for others it might be too many stimuli. Not only are these episodes frustrating for the child and caregivers, but they are also destructive and embarrassing.Ĭhildren on the spectrum react to meltdown triggers in a different way. With 1 in 44 children in the US being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, it’s important for everyone to learn how to interact with them.Īll children have meltdowns from time to time, but for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), meltdowns can be a regular occurrence.