Meltdowns are an awful experience; both for your child and for you. Seeing your child suffer so badly can be heart-wrenching, and keeping them safe while it’s happening can be back-breaking.
If your son or daughter has autism, chances are you’re no stranger to the meltdown. Whether they explode out of nowhere or emerge from a tantrum as it gets further out of control, you’ll know it when you see it.
The threat of the meltdown hovers over a great deal of life with autism. They aren’t done manipulatively – in essence, they’re a loss of control – but knowing they can happen adds an extra level of pressure to every stressful situation.