Between Spectrums

Taking the "Chill Pill"

Now the phrase "Take a chill pill" may not be the best thing to say to someone when he/she is mad. But sometimes they do need to. Sometimes when a person with autism gets upset or mad they experience meltdowns. Meltdowns mostly happen with kids when ever they don't get what they want or something sets them off. When they have a meltdown the would scream, hit themselves, flap their hands around, and may damage the area. Now kids with autism do know how to control their temper as they learn to so but there are those that can't and their parents have to restrain them till they calm down. There are some who carry their tempers with them as they reach adulthood. Anger can do more damaging to a person physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. And I had my fair share of having my temper take over me. I don't get mad as much because I don't care too much on the little things in life. But I also know that it's best to let the anger go before it gets to a point where I could explode and hurt someone. 

If an autistic adult has a meltdown it's best if you leave them alone cause they can control themselves and but the ways you can help is find what triggered the meltdown and remove it if possible. Triggers can be any sound or object that may upset the person. Give them the space they need to calm down. Don't talk to them, all they want is silence so they can think. To avoid another meltdown, see what triggers set them off. Ask what don't the like which could lead to a meltdown. They may not like a certain sound or how a room is organized. Either way its best to find the triggers before another meltdown happens.

Now if you have an autistic kid here are some suggestions you can use. Remove the triggers, Make a list of things that affect the meltdown, Massage, Diversions to make the kid happy, Keep calm as you try to clam down the kid, Aromatherapy, Positive feedback, Noise-cancelling headphones, Put up a alone time tent, Hot bath, Teaching them to breath in through the nose and out through mouth, and if they start to hit themselves it's best to restrain them and placing something soft for their heads to avoid possible brain damage. 

Hope these suggestions help you out and if you have other suggestions on how to deal with autistic meltdowns comment below.

Thank you for your time

Tay Gallagher.