Myth: Autistic meltdowns are just tantrums

Transcript

 Autistic meltdowns are just tantrums. This is a very, very, very common myth that stems from misunderstanding. A tantrum is about control, whereas a meltdown is about capacity. That's why when a child is having a tantrum, they still have access to choice. They can often respond to incentives like getting what they want. That stops the tantrum.

But during a meltdown, that access to choice is gone. Autistic meltdowns happen when the nervous system is overwhelmed. There's too much noise, there are too many demands, too many sensations, too much masking for too long. Their brain is in survival mode, and that's why consequences and reasoning don't work in that moment.

And that's also why telling a child to calm down usually makes things worse because, I mean, honestly, anybody being told to calm down when they're upset or overwhelmed is terrible. But calling a tantrum, calling a meltdown, a tantrum, can do real harm because it minimizes what they're feeling. It turns a stress response into a behavior problem and teaches adults to respond with punishment instead of support.

The meltdown isn't the issue here that needs to be addressed. It's the circumstances that led to it. So what can you as the teacher do? It's best to be proactive, of course, but during a meltdown, you can make sure everyone is safe. You can reduce noise, dim the lights, just reduce the external stimuli that is in your control, and please don't try to turn it into a teachable moment or threaten them with punishment because again, it is not a tantrum. They will not respond to these incentives.

One of the things that you just might have to do is wait it out. The meltdown typically ends when their nervous system is regulated, but that can take time. I want hear from you though, teachers, how do you support your students during meltdowns?

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