Textbook describes ASD meltdowns as "tantrums"

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From the BBC: Textbook makes autistic people 'sound like toddlers'

Connotations matter a lot to NTs, generally speaking.

As well as to some of us on the autistic spectrum.

"Autistic meltdown" implies something medical which we can't help and which isn't deliberate, which could be cured for eg through sensory needs being met.

"Tantrum" in an adult implies selfish, manipulative behaviour in order to get our own way, or that we are being irrational.

There's some people on this site who don't care about the difference. Maybe they technically mean the same, broadly speaking, I'm not sure. But it's good for "PR" both internally (self-messages, making yourself know you're not inherently broken or selfish) and externally (making it so NTs who have nothing to do with autistic people, and those who do have something to do with us but don't want to extend empathy, don't hate us for being 'manipulative brats').

In my experience, other autistic people I've met have been the least manipulative types. Blunt to the point of rudeness sometimes, yes, but that's almost the opposite of being manipulative. I hope we don't begin to get this false stereotype attached to us, the way that for eg lack of empathy has been attached to us despite also not being very true.

^ This.

Agreed.
'Tantrum' usually refers to either:
- loss of control by a young child (eg under 5 years) who has not yet developed much self control, or
- a deliberate display of emotion or temper by an older child (or immature or manipulative adult) who has learnt it may get them what they want

Even if an autistic meltdown is physiologically similar in nature to a tantrum, using the word meltdown shows more precisely that we are not referring to either of the above.

Pre depot AP , and regular meds, I could react very strongly when afraid/stressed. I'm sure it was seen as me 'acting up'. Other reactions were flu like symptoms/derealisation . Sometimes I'd drink a lot of alcohol to crash out.