Meltdown: Difference between revisions

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(added differences between meltdown and tantrum, and basic explanation of meltdown)
 
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'''Meltdown:'''
'''Meltdown:'''
*Involuntary
* Involuntary
*'''Not''' the autistic person's fault
* '''Not''' the autistic person's fault
*Due to emotional or sensory reasons
* Due to emotional or sensory reasons
*Common for '''some''' autistic people
* Common for '''some''' autistic people (others may experience [[Shutdown|shutdowns]] instead)
* May be unaware of what is going on around them




'''Tantrum:'''
'''Tantrum:'''
*Due to someone wanting something they cannot have
* Due to someone wanting something they cannot have
*(Uncontrolled) outburst of anger
* (Uncontrolled) outburst of anger
*Common for younger children
* Common for younger children
* The person or child will occasionally check other's reactions to see if the tantrum is working

Revision as of 23:23, 22 August 2022

A meltdown is a behavior that happens to autistic people when they are overwhelmed, overstimulated, or feeling other strong emotions. It is very important to note that a meltdown is not a tantrum. The differences are listed below:

Meltdown:

  • Involuntary
  • Not the autistic person's fault
  • Due to emotional or sensory reasons
  • Common for some autistic people (others may experience shutdowns instead)
  • May be unaware of what is going on around them


Tantrum:

  • Due to someone wanting something they cannot have
  • (Uncontrolled) outburst of anger
  • Common for younger children
  • The person or child will occasionally check other's reactions to see if the tantrum is working