I understand that meltdowns are caused by overloaded senses, but I'm wondering how to tell the difference, if there is one, between having a tantrum because he doesn't get his way versus being overstimed and trying to cope. Sometimes when we tell Jacob no, he fusses, falls down in the floor, and cries a little, but we can tell him to get up, and he generally does, he sniffles a little, and everything is okay. But sometimes telling him no leads to a full on what I would call tantrum to the point that we just have to let him cry it out. There's no pattern to when it happens - he's done it in public and at home. Any insight would be appreciated.
How I tell the difference is one (being the tantrum) with Adam is usually manipulative in nature. The meltdown on the other hand he seems to have no control over and will last much longer. Doesn't even seem aware if he hurts himself in the process or the environment changes on him. Not doing it to get something unless that something to his sensory is a NEED. He would act like he didn't even hear me and I truly don't belive he did. With a tantrum it is almost as if he is waiting to hear that he is going to get his way. Adam (knock on wood) has not had a true meltdown in a LONG time. He tantrums ALL THE TIME though. In walmart he has started the whole "I want to go home" thing and whining and i'm sure i'ts sensory in nature but I HAVE to get groceries sometimes so I make him tough it out and give him squeezes and try and keep his mind off of what is bothering him. But it hasn't escalated to a meltdown in a long time. HE seems more able to control it now I guess.
Karrie
I guess I consider the difference between meltdowna dn tantrum is that meltdown is a sensroy overload. I don't think about those that much. We only either have meltdowns or rages. Now the diff between a meltdowna dn rage to me is.....physical. When my son gets to the point of no return and starts throwing chairs and tables and goes on and on forever 45 min or so---thats a rage. His meltdowns are more of a whining, crying thing. Truely upset--but alot less physical towards others.
I'm just glad he has meltdowns now---1 year ago---all he had was rages---everyday, all day!!
My son has never been manipulative, so for me the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown is a matter of severity.
I consider a mild temper tantrum a sign of stress or sensory overload, and feel that if I don't do something to try and reduce that load, my son is probably heading towards a full-blown meltdown. What I do is suggest a change of pace -- sometimes quiet-time, other times outdoor activity to help him regulate his senses.
Sometimes, a temper tantrum can be a form of communication when words fail. I model how to express his feelings, and that usually helps.
Here is my list of meltdown resources which you might be interested in. Web addresses sometimes get corrupted when posted on this forum, so if a link doesn't work, try removing any blank spaces in the address. If it still doesn't work, let me know.
http://www.jambav.com/modules/specialneeds/specialneeds.php? id=8 - Temper Tantrum Report (for documenting and analyzing meltdowns)
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv -ppiep&msg=2462.1& an article called "Thoughtful Response to Agitation, Escalation and Meltdowns in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders."
http://www.isec2005.org.uk/isec/abstracts/papers_m/myles_b.s html - "The Cycle of Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns in Children and Youth with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism, and Related Disabilities" which is an article by Professor Brenda Smith Myles, with a list of 7 strategies you can use in the rumbling stage (ie agitation and escalation towards a meltdown/rage).
http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16187&am p;am p;KW=inside+scoop - " 'Meltdowns': The inside scoop (or rant)" which is a popular topic on our forum started by Stickboy26.
Good luck with everything.