Children throw tantrums. It’s a normal part of childhood. That said, there’s a difference between a tantrum and a meltdown. But what are these differences?
In this blog, we’ll look at the following:
- What is an autistic meltdown?
- What triggers autism meltdowns?
- How long do autism meltdowns last?
- What are the 6 stages of autism meltdowns?
- What does an autistic tantrum look like?
- How to tell the difference between a tantrum and a sensory meltdown?
What Is An Autistic Meltdown?
An autistic meltdown is an explosive or withdrawn reaction to increased levels of anxiety or distress. These meltdowns are intense and often accompanied by uncontrollable responses to emotional or sensory triggers such as shouting, crying, and aggression.
Other times, an autistic meltdown can cause a person to withdraw or “shut down,” giving little to no reaction to external stimuli or refusing to communicate with others.
Explosive Tantrum Signs
- Pacing the room
- Rocking back and forth
- Hand flapping
- Head nodding
- Finger flicking
- Screaming or yelling
- Crying
- Lashing out
Withdrawn Tantrum Signs
- Refusing to talk
- Holding breath
- Not responding to others
- Not moving from spot, either standing or sitting
- Curling into a ball or fetal position
- Zoning out
What Triggers Autism Meltdowns?
Autism meltdowns occur due to the following anxiety-inducing or overstimulating stressors:
- Challenges with communication
- Changes in routine
- Bright lights
- Sudden loud noises or music
- Ticking clocks
- Crowds
- Physical contact
- Overly bright or saturated colors
- Itchy or uncomfortable clothing/tags on clothing
A child’s triggers for an autistic meltdown will differ depending on the person and their individual struggles and sensitivities.
How Long Do Autism Meltdowns Last?
On average, autism meltdowns last between 20 to 30 minutes after removing the stressor. For example, if a child is triggered by a large crowd of people and begins to have a meltdown, it may take 20 minutes or more in a quiet, safe space for them to calm down fully.
What Are The 6 Stages Of Autism Meltdowns?
Calm
In the calm stage, the child has yet to experience a trigger towards any external stressors. If this particular stressor has caused meltdowns prior, this is an excellent opportunity to help them acknowledge the trigger in the environment and use coping strategies to overcome the incoming meltdown.
Triggers
A variety of variables can trigger the onset of an autism meltdown. The child may feel overwhelmed by stimuli, become frustrated while attempting to communicate, or experience a sudden change in routine. Stressors can be as apparent as a crowded space to as subtle as a ticking clock only they notice.
Agitation
In this stage, also known as the “rumbling phase,” the child begins to feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, or stressed. Pay attention to the signs like sweating, shaking, or irritability. Once a stressor has triggered the child, it may be too difficult to prevent a meltdown. In this case, supporting them as they go through the motions is crucial.
Meltdowns
During the meltdown stage, or “rage phase,” the child experiences an emotional and physical response to their stressor, typically in the form of audible screaming or crying, stimming (hand flapping, head nodding, rocking, etc.), or shutting down and not responding to their environment.
Re-Grouping
To begin recovery in the re-grouping stage, you must remove the child from the stressful environment to avoid making the situation worse. This allows them to calm down in a space free of triggers, which may take anywhere from five minutes to an hour, depending on the severity of the meltdown.
Starting Over
Once the child has calmed down, you can reintroduce them to the environment to slowly adjust them to the stressor. Doing so can reduce the likelihood of the specific stressor causing a meltdown episode in the future.
What Does An Autistic Tantrum Look Like?
An autistic tantrum occurs with a goal in mind. For example, autistic children may throw temper tantrums because they are hungry or want something they aren’t allowed to have (e.g., a toy at the store).
A child’s behaviors may look like screaming, shouting, and crying. They may stomp their feet or bang their arms against objects or people. If they exhibit aggressive behavior, it’s important to remove them from situations where they may end up hurting themselves or others around them.
How To Tell The Difference Between A Tantrum And A Sensory Meltdown?
Unlike typical tantrums, which have a particular goal in mind, sensory meltdowns are triggered by a stressor in their environment, causing overwhelming emotions. The child isn’t trying to communicate a need or want; they’re experiencing a sensory overload. During sensory meltdowns, you can help your child by removing them from the environment where the stressor is so they can calm down and stay calm.
With a better understanding of triggers and how to walk beside them in this experience, your child with autism can slowly begin to adapt to stressors to minimize future meltdowns.
