11/16/2023 0 Comments Toddler hits during sensory meltdown![]() ![]() This may take time, but it should help keep them calm. For those times when you can’t find a quiet place to soothe your child, you can simply cradle your child in your arms until they calm down. While this will help your child calm down, it isn’t always an option. One way to do this is to put up a tent somewhere quiet. You want to do everything you can to create a quiet, cozy space where your child will feel safe. This may require you to switch off music or perhaps leave a store in search of a quieter, more soothing environment. Your first priority during a meltdown is to remove any triggers. This could include something like making silly faces or singing your child’s favorite song. The aim is to focus on something which is comforting but not over-stimulating. ![]() You can distract your child by doing anything which makes your child happy. This will only work if you spot the tell-tale signs of a meltdown before your child loses complete control. ![]() You may even find that talking to your child during a meltdown can exacerbate the symptoms. This could include loud noises or flashing lights. In addition, you’ll want to keep record of stimuli which make a meltdown worse. The important thing is to be aware of your child’s sensory sensitivities so you’ll be prepared to act should a meltdown occur. For some children with special needs this can be a visit to the town pool or a ride on a crowded bus to camp. You’ve probably already identified stimuli which tend to trigger meltdowns for your child. That is after all what a child needs most during a sensory meltdown. The important thing is to be understanding, patient and loving. But remember, what calms one child with special needs may not work for another. We put together some tips which may help you calm your special child during these trying times. By simply dismissing a meltdown as a petulant child acting out, you can cause severe harm to a child with special needs. Tantrums and meltdowns are very different and cannot be handled in the same way. Unlike meltdowns, a child having a tantrum is in control of their behavior, and will most likely stop acting out when they get what they want. They could, for example, want their parents’ attention or perhaps they want their parents to buy a specific toy. A child could have a tantrum for many different reasons. Tantrums are behavioural outbursts which are a deliberate attempt to get something. The two are easily confused which is why many dismiss meltdowns as nothing more than a badly behaved child’s cry for attention. What’s the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum?Ī good place to start is by understanding the difference between a sensory meltdown and a tantrum. When you can’t be with your child, AngelSense GPS Tracker for Autism can help you be there for them when they need you the most! While it is heart-wrenching to see your child experience this, with enough awareness and proactive intervention you can prevent them from causing harm to themselves and others. It’s almost as if they’ve had a complete break with reality. Their behavior is an involuntary, knee-jerk response to sensory overwhelm. During a meltdown, a person with autism is completely unaware of their actions and what’s happening around them. Perhaps what’s most terrifying about a sensory meltdown is the extent to which a child loses control. As a parent, it’s essential that you learn to recognize the signs of a meltdown so you can keep your child safe, and help them regain control and composure. While it’s painful to see your child lose control for seemingly no reason, meltdowns help you understand when your little one is experiencing sensory overwhelm. ![]() They may scream, break things, attack others and even try to hurt themselves. During a sensory meltdown, children with special needs have very little control over their behavior. That’s why the summer can be particularly trying for both kids with autism, and their parents. You’re also well aware that changes in routine can trigger or exacerbate meltdowns. As a parent to a child with autism, you’re probably no stranger to meltdowns. ![]()
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