Post by ButterflyLady on May 29, 2015 0:57:06 GMT -5
Common Causes of Meltdowns!
There are a variety of potential causes for meltdowns; however the following are common causes.
1. Sensory Overload: Too much and too intense of stimulation, setting off fight or flight, panic reaction. Sense their senses are very sensitive and not filtered and integrated well, the more sensory “noise” in the environment the greater stress for the child. If there is too much stimulation, or too intense of stimulation, the brain becomes overwhelmed and panic sets in.
2. Information Overload: Too much information coming in too fast. Many children have delayed informational processing. Having to process multiple information simultaneously can overwhelm them. Information coming at them too fast or too much over time can overload the brain. We need to slow it down, break it down, and keep it simpler. These kids struggle with multi-step directions and any multi-tasking of information.
3. Emotional overload: Sudden, intense, and mixed emotions that come on suddenly and set off panic reaction. Many children become overwhelmed and panic to strong emotions; both their own and others.
4. Task performance demands: Too many demands, or too hard of demands will push the child into panic. Many children have strong task performance anxiety, so ongoing prompting, instructing, and task demands will tax and drain the brain. If the child feels pressed you risk a meltdown. We need to let the children pace themselves, and give frequent periods of rest to rebound.
5. Sudden changes or shifts in expectations! Once the child has an expectation set (expects things to be a certain way, or occur a specific way), sudden snags or changes can set off immediate fright! Sense of safety and security is dependent on predictability of what they expect. When the world matches what they expect, they are usually fine. When snags occur, there world falls apart.
6. Intense frustration: Rigid need to have what they want (actually perceived by them to NEED), when they want it. If the expected outcome does not occur, they become overwhelmed with emotion. May start out as a tantrum, but become flooded with emotion and panic sets in setting off the fight or flight response.
1. Lack of communication skills: For non-verbal children, or those limited verbal skills, the immediate frustration of not being able to communicate what they want or need, can set off intense rage. This often gets better as the child develop better communication (whether speech, signing, PECS, electronic communication devices, etc.). It is very important to find any means of communicating as early as possible.
2. Unable to "control" everything around them. The fear of uncertainty, and need for predictability creates a rigid need to control everything they do and what occurs around them. When forced to follow the lead of someone else, they panic creating great stress and often meltdowns.
When the brain has difficulty processing the world around it, plus has difficulty communicating its frustrations, tremendous stress can be expected and emotional turmoil will result. It is important that parents and teachers make a list of the potential stressors and build in strategies for supporting your child’s vulnerabilities.
There are a variety of potential causes for meltdowns; however the following are common causes.
1. Sensory Overload: Too much and too intense of stimulation, setting off fight or flight, panic reaction. Sense their senses are very sensitive and not filtered and integrated well, the more sensory “noise” in the environment the greater stress for the child. If there is too much stimulation, or too intense of stimulation, the brain becomes overwhelmed and panic sets in.
2. Information Overload: Too much information coming in too fast. Many children have delayed informational processing. Having to process multiple information simultaneously can overwhelm them. Information coming at them too fast or too much over time can overload the brain. We need to slow it down, break it down, and keep it simpler. These kids struggle with multi-step directions and any multi-tasking of information.
3. Emotional overload: Sudden, intense, and mixed emotions that come on suddenly and set off panic reaction. Many children become overwhelmed and panic to strong emotions; both their own and others.
4. Task performance demands: Too many demands, or too hard of demands will push the child into panic. Many children have strong task performance anxiety, so ongoing prompting, instructing, and task demands will tax and drain the brain. If the child feels pressed you risk a meltdown. We need to let the children pace themselves, and give frequent periods of rest to rebound.
5. Sudden changes or shifts in expectations! Once the child has an expectation set (expects things to be a certain way, or occur a specific way), sudden snags or changes can set off immediate fright! Sense of safety and security is dependent on predictability of what they expect. When the world matches what they expect, they are usually fine. When snags occur, there world falls apart.
6. Intense frustration: Rigid need to have what they want (actually perceived by them to NEED), when they want it. If the expected outcome does not occur, they become overwhelmed with emotion. May start out as a tantrum, but become flooded with emotion and panic sets in setting off the fight or flight response.
1. Lack of communication skills: For non-verbal children, or those limited verbal skills, the immediate frustration of not being able to communicate what they want or need, can set off intense rage. This often gets better as the child develop better communication (whether speech, signing, PECS, electronic communication devices, etc.). It is very important to find any means of communicating as early as possible.
2. Unable to "control" everything around them. The fear of uncertainty, and need for predictability creates a rigid need to control everything they do and what occurs around them. When forced to follow the lead of someone else, they panic creating great stress and often meltdowns.
When the brain has difficulty processing the world around it, plus has difficulty communicating its frustrations, tremendous stress can be expected and emotional turmoil will result. It is important that parents and teachers make a list of the potential stressors and build in strategies for supporting your child’s vulnerabilities.
SOURCE: Autism Discussion
Let's not forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives and we obey them without realizing it. ~Vincent Van Gogh, 1889
Little emotions are not so little on the autism spectrum, or for many individuals who are not even on the autism spectrum. Recently, I was listening in on a discussion forum for persons on the autism spectrum. Several individuals shared their struggles with emotional meltdowns. All of us struggle with emotions, and all of us "lose it" from time to time (yours truly included
. However, it's helpful to understand why individuals on the autism spectrum may be susceptible to being driven along by emotions, rather than being the captains of their emotions.
Possible Causes
Sensory Overload
Some individuals are affected by noise. Others are affected by smells. Or textures. Or lights. It can be any number of things, but if too many inputs can lead to meltdowns or shutdowns. Screaming, rage, yelling in public. It can all happen when the senses get into a traffic jam.
Social Challenges
I was once a tourist in Venezuela. The streets did not have signs. I didn't understand what people were saying. When people were lauighing, I had no idea about why. Needless to say, it was stressful. Yet this is what individuals on the autism spectrum go through on a regular basis. Of course, each person is unique, so they may experience more or less of this social confusion, but the stress can take it's toll over the course of the day. Too much stress, and the boiling point can be reached.
Long Term Stress
Combine long term stressors of sensory overload and social challenges, along with all the regular hassles that make up daily living, it's not surprising that individuals on the spectrum may "lose it" over seemingly small situations. And a spouse or parent of this individual, you may feel bewildered at the intensity of the meltdown.
Counting the Costs
Embarrasment
I've read many posts on discussions regarding this topic. Individuals feel embarrassed, ashamed, and sad/discouraged after a meltdown. In fact, they themselves feel bewildered or puzzled as to what happened. Almost as if they had a blackout.
Loss of Relationships
Over time, some individuals have shared that they have alienated friends and peers because of the intensity of their emotions.
More Stress
If, over time, a person feels that meltdowns are inevitable, random, and uncontrollable, they can feel somewhat stressed out! Imagine not knowing when you will lose it next, or what the consequences may be.
Toward Solutions
I'm going to recommend two different workbooks that I share with my clients, whether they are on the spectrum or not. Each of us can benefit from learning strategies to better understand and direct our emotions. And as we learn more about the nature of emotions and how to control them, we will feel less helpless. This can lead to lowered embarrasment, less stress, and continued relationship. It's worth it to build new skills!
Little emotions are not so little on the autism spectrum, or for many individuals who are not even on the autism spectrum. Recently, I was listening in on a discussion forum for persons on the autism spectrum. Several individuals shared their struggles with emotional meltdowns. All of us struggle with emotions, and all of us "lose it" from time to time (yours truly included
. However, it's helpful to understand why individuals on the autism spectrum may be susceptible to being driven along by emotions, rather than being the captains of their emotions.Possible Causes
Sensory Overload
Some individuals are affected by noise. Others are affected by smells. Or textures. Or lights. It can be any number of things, but if too many inputs can lead to meltdowns or shutdowns. Screaming, rage, yelling in public. It can all happen when the senses get into a traffic jam.
Social Challenges
I was once a tourist in Venezuela. The streets did not have signs. I didn't understand what people were saying. When people were lauighing, I had no idea about why. Needless to say, it was stressful. Yet this is what individuals on the autism spectrum go through on a regular basis. Of course, each person is unique, so they may experience more or less of this social confusion, but the stress can take it's toll over the course of the day. Too much stress, and the boiling point can be reached.
Long Term Stress
Combine long term stressors of sensory overload and social challenges, along with all the regular hassles that make up daily living, it's not surprising that individuals on the spectrum may "lose it" over seemingly small situations. And a spouse or parent of this individual, you may feel bewildered at the intensity of the meltdown.
Counting the Costs
Embarrasment
I've read many posts on discussions regarding this topic. Individuals feel embarrassed, ashamed, and sad/discouraged after a meltdown. In fact, they themselves feel bewildered or puzzled as to what happened. Almost as if they had a blackout.
Loss of Relationships
Over time, some individuals have shared that they have alienated friends and peers because of the intensity of their emotions.
More Stress
If, over time, a person feels that meltdowns are inevitable, random, and uncontrollable, they can feel somewhat stressed out! Imagine not knowing when you will lose it next, or what the consequences may be.
Toward Solutions
I'm going to recommend two different workbooks that I share with my clients, whether they are on the spectrum or not. Each of us can benefit from learning strategies to better understand and direct our emotions. And as we learn more about the nature of emotions and how to control them, we will feel less helpless. This can lead to lowered embarrasment, less stress, and continued relationship. It's worth it to build new skills!
SOURCE: Managing Meltdowns
No one can teach me how to love again 'cause you left a permanent stain on my heart and I've been feeling it 
