Meltdowns are just as individual as the unique personalities that children are born with. There isn’t a simple one-word answer for what causes a meltdown. With positive changes, the frequency of meltdowns can decrease over time.

People with autism can experience a meltdown whether they are a child, a teen, or an adult. In an autistic meltdown, the person is not aware of self-control, as they are in the throes of distress, and typically the meltdown situation will have to calm itself down, meaning, it cannot simply be “turned off.” A child having a temper tantrum does have control over themselves, even if the tantrum results in attacking people, loud screaming, or breaking things.Ī person having a meltdown typically screams, attacks people, hurts themselves and breaks things, which may look like a temper tantrum, but there is no underlying intention or plan involved. Knowing the difference between a typical temper tantrum in a young child and a meltdown in a person with autism helps to further understand what a meltdown is.Ĭhildren have temper tantrums with intention and purpose, such as control over people or situations, or as a call for attention. People with autism often have difficulty expressing when they are feeling overly anxious or overwhelmed, which leads to an involuntary coping mechanism-a meltdown. What is a meltdown?Ī meltdown is an intense response to overwhelming circumstances-a complete loss of behavioral control.

It helps parents once they understand what a meltdown is, as then you are able to gain the ability to foresee the signs of a meltdown, as well as identify the causes, and reduce the frequency. If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone. Most parents of children with autism do everything they can to avoid new or unexpected circumstances that may instigate overload that could lead to a meltdown. As a parent, it is distressing, as well as mentally tiring, and can be physically challenging. It is common for a person with autism to experience meltdowns.

High functioning autism meltdown