Definition of Meltdowns and shutdowns for ASD's
Aug 2, 2014 0:40:31 GMT -5
Warwick and thepenguin like this
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2014 0:40:31 GMT -5
Meltdowns and shutdowns are major emotional and behavioral reactions that seem to be way out of proportion to any precipitating events. They are behaviors beyond deliberate non-compliance, and the child seems unable to inhibit the behavior or initiate a change. Often, they are behaviors that typically-developing children the same age would be embarrassed to show.
• A meltdown is a noisy outburst, a rage, that may involve screaming, hitting, throwing, biting, bolting, and other highly unpleasant actions.
• A shutdown is withdrawing -- perhaps a drop to the floor or refusal to move, maybe covering of ears, or perseverative chanting-- and seeming to be stuck in that behavior.
These behaviors are common among children with autism, Asperger’s Disorder, PDD-NOS, and blindness or vision impairment accompanied by echolalic language, a history of echoing, or perseverative language. The blind or visually impaired children who are prone to meltdowns and shutdowns often show other characteristics of autism as well. In my experience, bolting and aggression may be a bit less likely among blind children; perseverative language and strong refusal to move, more likely.
Sighted or blind, the children often exhibit these behaviors when:
• A ritual, compulsion or routine is disrupted.
• Perfection, predictability or “rightness” is missing.
• Someone says “no”, or reprimands the child.
• He has to wait, or transition to a different place or task.
• Something new or unexpected happens.
• The environment is over-stimulating.
• He is confused by the language or expectations of others.
Other triggers include:
• Associated memories– as if the child is thinking, “This place, sound, person, upset me before; I remember what I did and I’ll do it again”
• Habit– “We always argue about this and it usually results in an explosion, so I’ll start the script”. For children with autism, a predictable outcome, even if negative, is often preferred over uncertainty.
• Need—The child appears to “arrange” a meltdown, at the end of a busy day perhaps, and feels better afterwards. Usually much better than the people who experienced it with him!
~~Side note: I really want people to realize that its a lot harder diagnosed visually impaired children with Autism because of 'blindisms'
• A meltdown is a noisy outburst, a rage, that may involve screaming, hitting, throwing, biting, bolting, and other highly unpleasant actions.
• A shutdown is withdrawing -- perhaps a drop to the floor or refusal to move, maybe covering of ears, or perseverative chanting-- and seeming to be stuck in that behavior.
These behaviors are common among children with autism, Asperger’s Disorder, PDD-NOS, and blindness or vision impairment accompanied by echolalic language, a history of echoing, or perseverative language. The blind or visually impaired children who are prone to meltdowns and shutdowns often show other characteristics of autism as well. In my experience, bolting and aggression may be a bit less likely among blind children; perseverative language and strong refusal to move, more likely.
Sighted or blind, the children often exhibit these behaviors when:
• A ritual, compulsion or routine is disrupted.
• Perfection, predictability or “rightness” is missing.
• Someone says “no”, or reprimands the child.
• He has to wait, or transition to a different place or task.
• Something new or unexpected happens.
• The environment is over-stimulating.
• He is confused by the language or expectations of others.
Other triggers include:
• Associated memories– as if the child is thinking, “This place, sound, person, upset me before; I remember what I did and I’ll do it again”
• Habit– “We always argue about this and it usually results in an explosion, so I’ll start the script”. For children with autism, a predictable outcome, even if negative, is often preferred over uncertainty.
• Need—The child appears to “arrange” a meltdown, at the end of a busy day perhaps, and feels better afterwards. Usually much better than the people who experienced it with him!
~~Side note: I really want people to realize that its a lot harder diagnosed visually impaired children with Autism because of 'blindisms'
No one can teach me how to love again 'cause you left a permanent stain on my heart and I've been feeling it 
