Any child can become overwhelmed and act out during a difficult situation. However, children with autism are especially susceptible to meltdowns.
Understanding de-escalation techniques can help diffuse potential problems before they reach a crisis point.
Why Are Children with Autism More Prone to Meltdowns?
Children with autism have challenges in communication, social interaction, and behavior. They can become easily overstimulated when exposed to loud noises, bright lights, unfamiliar environments, fatigue, or demands on their time and energy. When this happens, they can become anxious, causing emotional outbursts or aggressive behavior.
– Exhaustion from masking
– Unmet needs
– Sensory overload
– Anxiety
– Being unable to express needs
– High demands
– Change in plan or routine
– Feeling unable to meet expectations
– Unnoticed hunger or thirst
How to Prevent Meltdowns
The first strategy is to prevent outbursts and aggressive behavior before it begins. Here’s how.
1. Offer choices
Choices give children with autism a sense of control over a situation. Provide two to three. For example, for a child who doesn’t want to stop playing to go home, say, “What toy will you play with tomorrow? The Legos or the paint?”
2. Assist with communication
Some children with autism become frustrated because they don’t have the language to articulate their feelings. Even though they may have the skill, when they are frustrated or upset, they might need your assistance in requesting help or a break. Help them with language such as, “I see you’re getting frustrated. Say break, please?”
3. Provide Schedules
Children with autism struggle with transitions, especially if there are unexpected changes. A schedule tells them what to expect, reducing anxiety and meltdowns. A visual schedule, with pictures of each task or activity, can be used or a simple written list of the schedule for the day or time frame can also be used. It is important to make sure the schedule includes all activities or tasks being asked of the child to ensure there is no confusion on the expectations.
4. Use the Premack Principle
The Premack Principle is a way to motivate children to do something they’d prefer not to do so they do something more enjoyable. For example, you could tell them, “First, put your laundry in the hamper, and then you can watch a TV show.”
5. Practice the priming technique
Priming helps you prepare a child with autism for an upcoming event. This familiarizes them with the change before it occurs. For example, you might say, “In five minutes, we will leave your friend’s house.” Additionally, some children benefit from a countdown. Let them know, when there is four minutes, three minutes or 1 minute left, if they have a difficult time understanding how long five minutes is.
6. Control the environment
Ways to control the environment: if your child is sensitive to bright lights and loud noises, steer them away from areas with them, or give them headphones or sunglasses. Or, if you typically have conflicts about iPad use, put it away before your child gets home.
Reactive De-Escalation Techniques
Despite careful planning, there still may be instances where a child with autism has meltdowns. Here are some ways to de-escalate aggressive behavior.
1. Prioritize safety over function
While meltdowns are unpleasant for you and your child, their safety is always the priority. Before worrying about stopping the behavior, remove objects that can be dangerous for them. This includes removing anything they can throw or taking them out of a room with a potentially hazardous piece of furniture, like a glass-top table. If you’re in a safe environment, you might have to wait until they calm down and then take the next steps.
2. Stay calm
It is not helpful for you or your child if you become agitated when they are having a meltdown. Children take their cues from their parents. Manage your anxiety and your child’s. Don’t raise your voice, take deep breaths, and keep your facial expressions neutral.
3. Figure out what your child wants and help them communicate it
Communication challenges make it difficult for children with autism to tell you what they want or need. If they can’t articulate it, seek ways to help them communicate, such as visual support or technology.
4. Provide an alternative
In this ABA therapy technique, you suggest another action your child can take to stop the meltdown. For example, if your child is lying on the ground at a park, suggest another behavior, such as, “Let’s walk this way.” Or suggest a physical activity that allows them to release their energy constructively.
GBC: ABA Therapy for Kids with Autism
GBS Autism Services helps individuals with autism and their families lead fulfilling, independent lives. Our experts use ABA therapy for kids using research-based techniques. Read our success stories to learn more.
