Meltdown: Difference between revisions
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A '''meltdown''' is a behavior that happens to autistic people when they are overwhelmed, [[overstimulated]], or feeling other strong emotions. | A '''meltdown''' is a behavior that happens to autistic people when they are overwhelmed, [[Overstimulation|overstimulated]], or feeling other strong emotions. | ||
It is very important to note that a meltdown is not a tantrum. The differences are listed below: | It is very important to note that a meltdown is not a tantrum. The differences are listed below: | ||
== Meltdown == | |||
* Involuntary | * Involuntary | ||
* | * Affects people of all ages | ||
* ''Not'' the autistic person's fault | |||
* Due to emotional or sensory reasons | * Due to emotional or sensory reasons | ||
* Common for | * Common for ''some'' autistic people (others may experience [[Shutdown|shutdowns]] instead) | ||
* May be unaware of what is going on around them | * May be unaware of what is going on around them | ||
* May be cognitive dysfunction* | * May be cognitive dysfunction* | ||
* The person is not likely to have capacity at this time* | * The person is not likely to have capacity at this time* | ||
== 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 | ||
* | * Usually performed by children | ||
* The person | * The person will occasionally check other's reactions to see if the tantrum is working | ||
An autistic person's meltdown may be mistaken for a tantrum due to their surface-level similarities, but they are very different in both cause and subjective experience. | |||
Autistic Meltdowns can look very different for each individual. Please ask what a meltdown looks like for the individualm | |||
Autistic Meltdowns can't be "cured" or "treated", but developing a care plan or prevention plan with the person can be helpful for some. | Autistic Meltdowns can't be "cured" or "treated", but developing a care plan or prevention plan with the person can be helpful for some. | ||
== See also == | |||
* ''Managing Meltdowns'' by Deborah Lipsky | |||
*Managing Meltdowns | |||
Revision as of 08:43, 23 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
- Affects people of all ages
- 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
- May be cognitive dysfunction*
- The person is not likely to have capacity at this time*
Tantrum
- Due to someone wanting something they cannot have
- (Uncontrolled) outburst of anger
- Usually performed by children
- The person will occasionally check other's reactions to see if the tantrum is working
An autistic person's meltdown may be mistaken for a tantrum due to their surface-level similarities, but they are very different in both cause and subjective experience.
Autistic Meltdowns can look very different for each individual. Please ask what a meltdown looks like for the individualm
Autistic Meltdowns can't be "cured" or "treated", but developing a care plan or prevention plan with the person can be helpful for some.
See also
- Managing Meltdowns by Deborah Lipsky
