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2224

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elves in the head</li></ul><p id="e4aa"><b><i>Always keep in mind that an autistic meltdown is usually a cry for help as they are in distress.</i></b></p><figure id="8d17"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*[email protected]"><figcaption>Photo by Robo Wunderkind on Unsplash</figcaption></figure><blockquote id="9f83"><p><b>For children who are nonverbal:</b></p></blockquote><p id="62ad">It can feel like a daunting task managing autistic meltdowns with a nonverbal child, but as the world evolves and autism is becoming more recognised, there are tools out there to help you out. Check out some below.</p><ul><li>Picture Cards</li><li>Visual Schedule</li><li>Visual Timers</li><li>Sensory Box</li></ul><div id="c527" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-create-a-self-soothe-sensory-box-3325a8ba06b3"> <div> <div> <h2>How to Create a Self-Soothe/Sensory Box</h2> <div><h3>Hello reader! I would like to give a warm welcome to you. Today I will be discussing how to create a self-soothe/sensory box. These boxes…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*[email protected])"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="b055">For autism to be universally accepted we must recognise the differences between meltdowns and temper tantrums to remove the stigma around autism and help people feel included in society. There is a clear difference between being frustrated and being overstimulated. As a mostly neurotypical society, we need to acknowledge neurodiversity and work hand in hand to help everybody function in life. Mislabelling autistic meltdowns are not only ableist but promotes a toxic culture around neurodiversity. It shouldn’t be up to people with autism to explain neurodiversity as the signs are blatant. People with autism are not trying to trick anybody, they are genuinely reaching out for help. For people with autism who are nonverbal, this only exacerbates the probl

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em and stops them from getting the appropriate support due to stigma and a lack of understanding. Now is the time to drop the stigma of “temper tantrums” and learn from mistakes to help neurodivergent people live life to the fullest.</p><div id="1011" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/a-day-full-of-potholes-and-laughs-a236f0e57ad5"> <div> <div> <h2>A Day Full Of Potholes and Laughs.</h2> <div><h3>I’ll be honest with you, I’m bloody knackered after today. Today has simultaneously been a successful and exhausting day. I was a bit of a…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*[email protected])"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="4732" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-problem-with-nice-guys-b0a801769350"> <div> <div> <h2>The Problem With “Nice Guys”</h2> <div><h3>“Nice guys always finish last”</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*[email protected])"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="49fb" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/a-day-filled-with-excitement-and-promise-bfbcbfffa015"> <div> <div> <h2>A Day Filled With Excitement and Promise</h2> <div><h3>New beginnings are the focus of today. It’s not very often that a day is filled with heartfelt conversations, but today has been one of the…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*[email protected])"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Stop Calling Autistic Meltdowns “Temper Tantrums”

Photo by Alireza Attari on Unsplash

Parents of children with autism may find that their child experiences frequent meltdowns. It is a common misconception that autistic meltdowns are similar to when a toddler has a “temper tantrum”. To put it bluntly, this isn’t true…

The main difference is raw emotion. People with autism may suffer from sensory under/overstimulation which could cause a chain reaction affecting their neurological response to emotional situations. These tend to last much longer than a “temper tantrum” as people with autism may struggle with sensory stimulation. Add in a berating parent and people with autism may feel like they are being babied or made to feel like their emotions are insignificant.

Photo by Anna Kolosyuk on Unsplash

Another common misconception is that only autistic children are susceptible to meltdowns. This couldn’t be further from the truth as the truth is anybody with autism is susceptible to a meltdown if they aren’t supported in finding tools to regulate their emotions. Regardless of if somebody has high or low-functioning autism, they are still susceptible to meltdowns if they are not self-aware of their emotions.

Photo by Robo Wunderkind on Unsplash

Signs of an oncoming meltdown:

  • Verbal pleas to leave the situation
  • Hands over ears or eyes
  • “Stims” (Self-stimulating behaviour) such as rocking back and forth and pacing up and down
  • Hitting themselves in the head

Always keep in mind that an autistic meltdown is usually a cry for help as they are in distress.

Photo by Robo Wunderkind on Unsplash

For children who are nonverbal:

It can feel like a daunting task managing autistic meltdowns with a nonverbal child, but as the world evolves and autism is becoming more recognised, there are tools out there to help you out. Check out some below.

  • Picture Cards
  • Visual Schedule
  • Visual Timers
  • Sensory Box

For autism to be universally accepted we must recognise the differences between meltdowns and temper tantrums to remove the stigma around autism and help people feel included in society. There is a clear difference between being frustrated and being overstimulated. As a mostly neurotypical society, we need to acknowledge neurodiversity and work hand in hand to help everybody function in life. Mislabelling autistic meltdowns are not only ableist but promotes a toxic culture around neurodiversity. It shouldn’t be up to people with autism to explain neurodiversity as the signs are blatant. People with autism are not trying to trick anybody, they are genuinely reaching out for help. For people with autism who are nonverbal, this only exacerbates the problem and stops them from getting the appropriate support due to stigma and a lack of understanding. Now is the time to drop the stigma of “temper tantrums” and learn from mistakes to help neurodivergent people live life to the fullest.

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