Autistic Meltdown - What It Is And How to Manage It

People with Autism can internalise their emotion.

Society demands so much of people, and modern culture is constantly assailing us with sensations, and life does not always allow for moments to relax. For others, it can be a little different – they may have plenty of time to relax, but they may be so immersed that they just plainly forgot to allow themselves an outlet or time to relax.

It comes down, in the end, to exhaustion. It can affect people differently, and even neurotypes can endure it. Those on the Spectrum are distinguished by sensory overload – this is often what causes a burnout. Everyone’s body can only take so much; but for many with Autism, they can become too engaged with those positive sensations. When a trigger occurs, the energy that was perceiving all those positive sensations start to perceive every negative sensation in an environment.

Those who share their houses with both young and adult people with Autism will recognise this predicament. A random explosion of energy may follow a day or week of internalisation or maybe even a day or week of excitement. The brain has taken all that it can and is asking that no more be given. Their sensitivities to how they perceive the environment may amplify drastically and negatively. People may be too loud, clothes may scratch, smells may reek, everything may seem to be moving too fast and a dizziness or burning in the stomach may emerge to indicate that something is wrong.

These are the identifiers. Listen attentively, understand, and work together with them to overcome it. Knowing when a burn-out happens, and having the knowledge of what causes it, is easy. Managing it requires some more strategy and even more patience and tolerance, and an exceptional amount of resilience and awareness.

Firstly – do not touch and do not yell. They are overwhelmed by sensations and it is in no way smart to offer more sensory input. Ask them if they need a hug. If they say no, then leave it as that. But definitely ask if they need a hug, ask if they need to talk, and ask if they need to be left alone.

For some people with Autism, they need to hug, to talk, and to be heard. For others, they need to be left alone. If you are near them when that burn-out or meltdown happens, then they feel safe with you and trust you. You must know them well enough to know what they need in these scenarios.

Try to isolate them from overwhelming sensations. If they are in public, ask them if they need to be led away. Crowds can be overwhelming. Ask if they need to sit down and if they need to use a device. Ask if they need to move or stim. Again, ask only if it is right. If they are not engaging or if they dislike that they are being asked anything at all, then you may need to conclude that you need to speak sparingly – even having someone near to them talk, no matter how supportive, can cause agitation if each and every sound is stress-inducing.

Remember that this is normal – we are expressive and emotional animals. While most of us can put it all behind a smiling face, people with Autism, if they can do it at all, only do this for so long before it all crumbles down.

But we all have meltdowns. We all get fed-up. We all just need a time-out sometimes.

But for those with Autism, stress, dread, fear, anger, and so much more can assail them mercilessly and intensely. Remember, we do not possess a sensory disorder – when we are upset, we certainly may be more bothered by sensations. But not usually to such a nauseating extent or overwhelming.

You will have to try differently and recognise the individual dynamic of each situation with each person with Autism. But keep in your mind that there is something they are experiencing in those moments that a neurotypical mind just cannot fully know. You may never truly understand what it is, but by just simply listening to them, you will be doing enough to ensure that this trust and faith does not diminish.

Make them feel listened to and safe. Make them feel loved.

Just find out what you need to do to ensure this.

And then do it.

©Nelle Frances 2020