What do to during meltdowns?

Post Reply New Topic

What would you want someone your with to do if you have a meltdown? I need to know because I want an answer from someone with autism. I don't it to come from people who think they know about us, yet they really don't. The reason I ask is because I'm writing a story about a severely autistic eighteen year old woman. She is nonverbal also because she has oral motor apraxia as well. I want to do the right thing in having her mother calm her down, but I don't know the best way to do this. Any tips?

hmmm just off the top of my head, being given space works for me, no pestering, no crowding, just space, and cry it out.

but something another person could do, is be there to talk it out i guess, let the person talk out the problem to them (although that might be hard, i generally lose the ability to talk much if not at all when mid meltdown). not sure if that would work?


im not 100% sure on this though, as my parents have never been....observant enough to actually do anything when i go into a meltdown, they sort of just...don't notice. i disappear to my room and completely lose it as quietly as i can, they never ask how im feeling, so i never tell.

I meant like publicly though. I did have an idea where the mother could sing the chorus of "Beautiful" to her daughter, and it would calm her down.

For me, I like people to rub my back and comfort me and stuff. But that might not be true for everyone.

I guess from the responses, I have to figure out what works for her then. It's probably the best thing to do.

When I used to have meltdowns (before I went on antidepressants), I shouted profanity, hit myself in the face, stomped around, slammed doors, and, most of all, cried. What calmed me down was if somebody cuddled me, talked to me, and tried to get me to rationalize why I was feeling so frustrated at the time. I couldn't speak for a while after a meltdown, because I cried so much, but after catching my breath again, I could finally rationalize my thoughts. Unfortunately the meltdowns upset everyone else in the house, which basically prolonged the meltdown because I would feel guilty and angry with myself for making my loved ones upset, hence the reason I went on antidepressants.

But, how I calmed after a meltdown is not really that typical among Aspies, because most Aspies prefer to be alone to calm down, stimming in a dark and quiet haven, while I needed social comfort to calm myself down.

But I hope that has given you some idea for your story anyway. Good luck with your story.

Just depends on the situation. Sometimes they can tell when I am starting to meltdown and talk to me to calm me out of it. Just soothing words. If it is one where I start going ballistic my dad restrains me as much as needed. He will try to get me to the most private spot he can. Even if that means off in a corner someplace. If soothing talk does not settle it down, then it just has to run its course. When I am in full meltdown talking to me or touching me like patting and caressing does not help, I just want to be left alone. I also have somewhat more severe classic autism and also apraxia of speech.

Other kids do respond to soothing words and or touches during meltdown though. So you are right, you can come up with basically whatever you want for your character. Singing would be good.

I don't have a whole lot in common with your MC (I'm verbal, fairly independent, can deal with my own meltdowns) but with me if it has reached that point the ONLY thing anyone can do is allow me to remove myself from the situation to a place that is private enough for it to be safe for me to completely f*****g lose it. It doesn't take much-- 15 or 20 minutes of screaming, cussing, and beating the s**t out of a pillow, time to compose myself, and I'm good to go.

I don't know the meaning of MC in this context.

Does it mean "main character?"

I believe it's "main character", what we older folk were taught was the "protagonist" of the story.