What do you do for ASD meltdowns??? | Autism PDD

My meltdown strategy is pretty much as described in the following articles. Other mothers have found their advice helpful, even life-changing. (Ignore the yellow highlighting). Good luck with everything.

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.

This might also be useful:

http://www.jambav.com/modules/specialneeds/specialneeds.php? id=8 - Temper Tantrum Report (for documenting and analyzing meltdowns)

I have been dealing with 20 min-hour long meltdowns with vomiting and face gauging/kicking/screaming for about 1.5 years now. I have actually tried everything under the sun to calm her and stop the meltdowns, I have also tried doing nothing but sitting in the room and making sure she is safe. There is exactly zero difference in intensity and duration if I do or don not interfere. Needless to say I tend to sit in the room near her and not interfere these days.

That said, we have not had a severe meltdown since she started the Risperdal....yet

Hope it gets better ((((HUGS))))

oh, and try not to take it personally too

As you indicated, there is a difference between a "meltdown" and a temper tantrum, and you're obviously dealing with a meltdown. Norwaymom's links are excellent resources.

Mr. B. is the same age as your son and has similar meltdowns, right down the the vomiting issues. Last night, he did this over his sister putting away all the diapers he'd put out on the floor in a geometric pattern because it was right before bedtime. When it occurs, the technique I use is similar to yours - but I'll cross my arms over and around him completely from behind rather so he's completely encased in a bear hug. Sometimes we rock, sometimes we don't, and I'll usually hum our private lullaby (I've written one for each of my children). That usually seems to calm him faster than anything else - I can actually feel him "body sigh" as he regroups.

Sometimes, however, there's nothing that will work - although his vomiting usually brings him out of it to some degree. If he's escalated but not thrown up and won't let me near him, the best thing I can do is try and keep him as safe as possible and in a quiet space and stay quietly by. Eventually, he'll calm, and then want to be hugged and rocked to get the rest of himself back together.

I have noticed that if I "de-escalate" - don't get frazzled by it, don't raise my voice to be heard, don't move fast or make loud noises - and instead go the opposite direction from him - calming voice, slower speech, lower pitch, volume and tone, smooth movements or simply stillness, he will seek out the bear hugs more than not to help him regroup.

I've always used the no eye contact, walk away, don't talk to him, and ignore it...AS LONG AS HE'S NOT HURTING HIMSELF!!! My son will still tantrum, but I've noticed if I try and intervene it's much worse!

My son is 31 months old and he is having some MASSIVE meltdowns- far different and severe than the typical I did not get my way I will throw on the floor because I am 2 meltdown.

When he gets upset because something has not gone the way he expected it to (ex. tonight he freaked out because we went to his room for bed and I forgot to turn the nightlight and white noise machine on.) As soon as we walked in he freaked out, crying kicking, screaming, etc. He continues on until he vomits 3-5 minutes later, then he is very calm and usually goes right to sleep.

His OT suggested deep pressure when he is like this and tonight I took him out of bed and sat on the floor and faced him away from me, rocking him back and forth and firmly holding his arms down. I shushed in his ear too as this calmed him as a baby and he calmed down and eventually I was able to put him to bed and he fell asleep on his own.

ANY suggestions? What do you do (day or night) that you find helpful? I would love some ideas!!!!!!!!! It is rough when he is like that- and my DH is out of town a lot so I am alone dealing with this often. HELP!!!!