| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | argument. (Often Asperger children seem to |
| Children with Asperger’s Syndrome the world | | | | want to fight. They know how to push your |
| over share a common trait — meltdown | | | | buttons, so don’t be side-tracked from the |
| — otherwise known as a tantrum, a birko, | | | | meltdown issue). |
| a go-off or spack-attack. | | | | 3. Slow down. Meltdown often occurs at the most |
| The visible symptoms of meltdown are as varied as | | | | inconvenient time e.g. rushing out the door to school. |
| the Asperger children themselves, but every parent is | | | | The extra pressure the fear of being late creates, |
| able to describe their child’s meltdown | | | | adds to the stress of the situation. (Asperger children |
| behaviour in intricate detail. | | | | respond to referred mood and will pick up on your |
| Meltdowns can be short lived, or last as long as two | | | | stress. This stress is then added to their own.) So |
| hours. They can be as infrequent as once a month | | | | forget the clock and focus on the situation. Make sure |
| (often coinciding with the lunar cycle/full moon) or | | | | the significant people in your life know your priorities |
| occur as frequently as 4-6 times a day. | | | | here. Let your boss know that your Asperger child has |
| Whatever the frequency and duration, an Asperger | | | | meltdowns that have the capacity to bring life to a |
| child having a meltdown is difficult for parents/carers | | | | standstill, and you may be late. Let your child’s |
| teachers to deal with. | | | | teacher know that if your child is late due to a |
| Meltdown in Asperger children is triggered by a | | | | meltdown that it’s unavoidable, and your child |
| response to their environment. These responses can | | | | shouldn’t be reprimanded for it. |
| be caused by avoidance desire, anxiety or sensory | | | | 4. Prioritise safety when your Asperger child is having |
| overload. Triggers need to be recognised and identified. | | | | a meltdown. Understand that they can be extremely |
| So how do we deal with a meltdown? What should | | | | impulsive and irrational at this time. Don’t |
| you do when meltdown occurs? | | | | presume that the safety rules they know will be utilized |
| An adults’ (parents/carers/teachers) behaviour | | | | while they’re melting down. Just because your |
| can influence a meltdown’s duration, so always | | | | Asperger child knows not to go near the street when |
| check your response first. | | | | they are calm doesn’t mean they won’t |
| 1. Calm down | | | | run straight into 4 lanes of traffic when they are having |
| 2. Quiet down | | | | a meltdown. If your Asperger child starts melting down |
| 3. Slow down | | | | when you’re driving in the car, pull over and |
| 4. Prioritise safety | | | | stop. If your child tends to flee when melting |
| 5. Re-establish self-control in the child, then deal with | | | | down, don’t chase them. This just adds more |
| the issue | | | | danger to the situation. Tail them at a safe distance |
| 1. Take 3 slow, deep breaths, and rather than dreading | | | | (maintain visual contact) if necessary. |
| the meltdown that’s about to take place, assure | | | | 5. When your Asperger child is calm and has regained |
| yourself that you’ve survived meltdowns 1000 | | | | self-control, he will often be exhausted. Keep that in |
| times before and will do so this time too. | | | | mind as you work through the meltdown issue. |
| 2. Keep your speaking voice quiet and your tone | | | | Reinforce to your child the appropriate way to |
| neutrally pleasant. Don’t speak unnecessarily. | | | | express their needs/requests. |
| Less is best. Don’t be baited into an | | | | |