Category: Blog

What is a meltdown in Autism?

Melt down is an response to over whelming situation. It happens when someone becomes completely overwhelmed by their current situation and temporarily loses behavioural control. This loss of control can be expressed verbally (eg shouting, screaming, crying), physically, (eg kicking, lashing out, biting) or in both ways.
A meltdown is not the same as a temper tantrum. It is not bad or naughty behaviour and should not be considered as such. When a person is completely overwhelmed, and their condition means it is difficult to express that in appropriate way, it is understandable that the result is a meltdown.
Meltdowns are not the only way a person with autism may express feeling overwhelmed. Other behaviours that may appear are less explosive but are equally common, such as refusing to interact, withdrawing from situations they find challenging, or avoiding them altogether.
Providing a calming environment is the priority when an autistic person is experiencing a meltdown.
If we are unable to take them to a more relaxing place, where they can calm down, holding them or reassuring them may help.
Ensure the person is kept safe, and soothe them until they are able to recover.
Diversions such as silly faces, singing a funny song, or talking about something they will find amusing, can help to distract them from how they are feeling.
Keeping aromatherapy oils, such as lavender and chamomile, can help, if the person responds well to calming scents.
If the trigger was auditory, keeping noise-cancelling headphones to give out may help to block out any further noises that could keep the meltdown going.
Comforting items from home may also bring down their escalated mood.
In some situations, an autistic person may engage in self-injurious behaviour, such as banging their head against the wall or floor.
To prevent the person from harming themselves, place a padded object between their head and the surface, we should calmly reassure them until the behaviour stops.

Define your problems

Do analyse your relationship and figure out which parts works and which parts don’t. It is important to know the negative points of your relationship to burn them down.

Use the three-sentence rule

Keep your requests to your partner into three sentences or fewer, e.g.: “Honey, the dinner is not cooked and I am exhausted. Could you help me make dinner? I will finish it fast with your help.”

Take your fighting gloves off

Keep aside your warrior mode. Instead, consider taking a time-out. The next time you see a spousal discussion going to a not-so-happy place, take a break and revisit the subject rather than escalating the subject.

Burn your grudges

It’s time to set some bad memories on fire. Instead of carrying grudges on each other around forever, torch them. “Write them all down on a piece of paper and burn them down, and stop complaining.

Nurture yourself

Learn how to prioritize and put boundaries around activities that keep you healthy and whole.

Feeling sad, angry or otherwise “not yourself-

If you’re eating or sleeping more or less than usual, having extreme emotions or withdrawing yourself from family and friends, or just feeling “off,” – it’s time to talk.

Abusing drugs, alcohol, food or sex to cope-

If you are using drugs, alcohol, food habits or sexual habits as mediums to cope up with difficult situations. Then you know the alarm is ringing, you need to put it off.

You’ve lost someone or something important to you-

Have you lost a job or an old friend or a close relative? Did your Relationship break? If you find it hard to accept all these and feel the world has come to an end. Know that it’s time for new path or a new beginning.

Something traumatic has happened-

If you have a history of abuse, neglect or other trauma that you haven’t fully dealt with, or some other traumatic event and still feel it’s haunting you. Talk the earliest to someone, to learn healthy ways to cope.

You can’t do the things you like to do-

Have you stopped doing the activities you ordinarily enjoy? Stopped having fun or meeting new people. This is a red flag that something is amiss in your life.

Treat your children kindly

If you have the habit of bossing your kids around all day like a drill sergeant you can expect that they may well do the same to others.

Be gentle

If you are continually smacking your kids when they do something wrong, they will learn that hitting is the way to force people into doing what you want.

Make sure the TV programs they watch show characters being kind

There are too many current programs that teach kids to be disrespectful. When they see a continual barrage of cartoon characters or real-life characters being rude to each other, they will automatically do the same.

Speak respectfully about others

Show them by your example that it’s unkind to say bad things about other people. If they hear you bad mouthing a neighbour or friend, they’ll pick up on it quickly and do the same.

Let them see you helping others

If someone falls, help him up. If your children aren’t there to see you do this, talk to them about what happened. Let them know how kind it is to help someone in need, and how good it makes you feel.

Make Realistic Resolutions that can be accomplished by you-

Don’t force yourself to do something which keeps you away from being yourself.

Don’t take Resolutions just to fit inside the Cinderella shoe

Remember that you can buy yourself a Ralph & Russo, only if you chase your and not other’s dream.

It’s absolutely fi9 to take one entire year to complete a Resolution

Taking time to accomplish something’s is not a sign of Laziness but of course of Steadiness and alertness.

If your last Resolution didn’t work, it may work this time better

you always learn from your mistake, who knows this time you may work it out like never before.

Go Deaf to Blabbering Aunties and So-Called Friends

Put loud Music in your room or through headphones to make a wall between them and your resolutions

Give yourself some ‘ME’ time

Pamper yourself whenever you feel like. Go shopping, visit a salon, and take a city ride.

All the household work is not just a women thing

Sometimes leave the house jobs; it can be done by other house members as well.

Give preference to your needs as well

Do spend on your needs and requirements as well; don’t sacrifice on buying a MAC.

Have friends to hang out with other than family

Have your own girl gang to go to movies and holidays.

Talk to someone when you need

Always speak about your problems, don’t just hide them away because you are women who can tolerate the maximum.

Your Child Is ‘A Child’ First

When you start looking at your child like other normal children only with some ‘more’ extra needs, life becomes more simpler & acceptable.

Gather As Many Facts You Can

Accurate information regarding your child needs will help you to avoid loopholes in his/her upbringing.

Get In Touch With Other Parents

Sometimes your struggle is more comprehendible by other likely parents than your own family members.

Find A Good Doctor/Therapist/Specialist

Regular appointments with specialists and therapists along with visits to a local paediatrician can help them perform better routine physicals and treat common illnesses.

Prioritize Communication

Children with Down syndrome love to communicate, much early than other kids. Help them develop the same.

Focus On His/Her Strength

Your child will face physical and developmental challenges, though they will also have a distinct personality and distinct strengths, try to focus on that.

Educate yourself

Learning about schizophrenia and its treatment will allow you to make informed decisions about how best to cope with symptoms.

Reduce stress

Stress can cause schizophrenia symptoms to flare up, so it’s important to create a structured and supportive environment for your loved one.

Set realistic expectations

It’s important to be realistic about the challenges of schizophrenia. Help your loved one set and achieve manageable goals, and be patient with the pace of recovery.

Empower your loved one

Be careful that you’re not taking over and doing things for your loved one that he or she is capable of doing.

Seek help right away

Early intervention makes a difference in the course of schizophrenia, so help your loved one find a good doctor and start treatment.

Be collaborative

When your loved one has a voice in their own treatment, they will be more motivated to work towards recovery.

Encourage self-help

Since schizophrenia is often episodic, periods of remission from the severest symptoms can provide an opportunity for your loved one to employ self-help strategies that may limit the length and frequency of future episodes.

Do Something You Love Every Single Day

Take a look at yourself, your skills and interests, and find something that you can enjoy doing every day. If you do something you love every single day, your current job won’t seem so bad.

Take Responsibility for Knowing What Is Happening at Work

Develop an information network and use it. Assertively request a weekly meeting with your boss and ask questions to learn. You are in charge of the information you receive.

Make Only Commitments You Can Keep

Create a system of organization and planning that enables you to assess your ability to complete a requested commitment. Don’t volunteer if you don’t have time.

Avoid Negativity

No matter how positively you feel, negative people have a profound impact on your psyche. Don’t let the negative Neds & Nellies bring you down. And, keep on singing in the car on your way to work or start.

Make Friends

Liking and enjoying your coworkers are hallmarks of a positive, happy work experience. Take time to get to know them. You might actually like and enjoy them. Your network provides support, resources, sharing, and caring.

• Start your day with a cup of coffee. Coffee consumption is linked to lower rates of depression. If you can’t drink coffee because of the caffeine, try another good-for-you drink like green tea.
• Set up a getaway. It could be camping with friends or a trip to the tropics. The act of planning a vacation and having something to look forward to can boost your overall happiness for up to 8 weeks.
• Work your strengths. Do something you’re good at to build self-confidence, then tackle a tougher task.
• Experiment with a new recipe, write a poem, paint or try a Pinterest project. Creative expression and overall well-being are linked.
• “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”– Think of something in your life you want to improve, and figure out what you can do to take a step in the right direction.
• Take time to laugh. Hang out with a funny friend, watch a comedy or check out cute videos online. Laughter helps reduce anxiety.
• Go off the grid. Leave your smart phone at home for a day and disconnect from constant emails, alerts, and other interruptions. Spend time doing something fun with someone face-to-face.
• Has something been bothering you? Let it all out…on paper. Writing about upsetting experiences can reduce symptoms of depression.
• Practice forgiveness – even if it’s just forgiving that person who cut you off during your commute. People who forgive have better mental health and report being more satisfied with their lives.