What NOT to do during a meltdown

Written By Lia Douglas

In my practice, I am often trying to teach and assist parents on how to deal with sensory meltdowns. Here are some tips of what NOT to do!

However, first it's important to understand the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum. A meltdown happens when a child is in fight or flight. They have experienced too much input and their system can not handle it anymore whether it has built up all day or simply a noisy, busy grocery store triggers the overload. Children can not process during a meltdown so it is not the opportunity to teach them how to cope or regulate, punish them or even talk to them. It is important to understand that it is not their fault but they are in overwhelm. It is our job as adults to stay calm, provide a safe space for them and know what helps to co-regulate them if need be.


Lia Douglas

Lia Douglas is a dedicated speech-language pathologist with 29 years of experience, specializing in neurodivergent-affirming speech therapy practices. Over five years ago, she founded Beach Speech Pediatric Therapy in Gulf Shores, AL, where she provides compassionate, individualized care to children and their families. Lia is deeply passionate about fostering inclusivity and equipping families with positive, affirming strategies to support their children’s unique strengths and communication needs. Her commitment to creating supportive environments where every child can thrive has made her a trusted advocate and resource in the community.

Previous

What is the difference between speech and language therapy?