Meltdowns are NOT tantrums!!!

Understanding Meltdowns is important for our sensory sensitive kids, including Autistic children and ADHDer’s. Research shows 1 out of 6 kids have sensory processing challenges that interfere with everyday functioning and learning. You can read more about the sensory system on my blog. Meltdowns can be scary and feel stressful, but if you educate yourself and learn to recognize signs of dysregulation and distress in your child you can avoid, prevent and reduce them. Fill your “tool box” with sensory supports, sensory strategies, calming techniques, quiet corners and spaces, and breathing techniques to use when you observe your child is becoming overwhelmed or dysregulated. Each child is different and and has different triggers and needs. What works for one may not work for another. The time to practice using these supports is when you and the child are calm and happy NOT when dysregulated or during a meltdown. Stay calm and do your best to not let your emotions get out of control or elevated. A meltdown is not a reflection of bad parenting. It is simply when your child’s body goes into fight, flight or freeze due to a build up of too many demands during the day that outweigh their capacity to deal with their environment. Learn to offer your child sensory breaks, fidget tools, movement breaks, quiet times, comforting items and the like to help co-regulate them. Learn to observe the signs of what their little bodies or behavior is communicating. When adrenaline build up in the body the best way to reduce it is movement. Ask yourself, “Has my child moved their body in the last hour?” If not then it’s time for a movement break! Key points: stop talking, instructing, bargaining or reasoning during a meltdown. Provide support without words. Stay calm. Trial different sensory supports when not in fight or flight and see what works for your child! Hope this helps!