How Autism Meltdown Therapy and Strategies Might Help Autistic Children

It’s natural for parents whose children have autism to feel helpless or get frustrated when their child is having an autism meltdown. Trying to improperly calm your child down can make matters even worse. Fortunately, autism meltdown therapy can teach parents tools and techniques they can use to manage an autism meltdown a toddler or child may experience before it gets out of hand. Read on for some information and helpful tips to help you manage autism meltdowns.

What is a Meltdown?

A “meltdown” in this instance is when an autistic person feels overwhelmed and has an intense reaction to what is happening, causing them to temporarily lose control of their behaviour. Unfortunately, once a meltdown has started, it usually takes a while until the child can get hold of themselves again, causing extra frustration and embarrassment for their parents.

During an autism meltdown, toddlers and children often tend to:

• Scream
• Shout
• Kick, bite and generally attack other people
• Hurt themselves
• Break objects around them
• Become very rigid and controlling in their views and behaviours

Autism Meltdown Strategies

There are various strategies that parents can learn through autism meltdown therapy to assist with meltdowns. However, since every autistic child has different communication and sensory processing skills, you have to keep your child’s own skills in mind to meet their individual requirements. Not all strategies may necessarily work for your child, so you will have to try them out at different times to see which strategies are effective and which one’s aren’t. Referrals to appropriate practitioners maybe made.

Learn the Signs Your Child Makes When They Feel Distressed

Does your child put their hands over their ears? Do they suddenly run out the room? Or do they start rocking, humming, flapping their hands, or hurting themselves?

These types of behaviour often indicate that your child is overstimulated and distressed, and is on the verge of having a meltdown. If you learn what behaviours your child tends to act out when feeling distressed, you can stop a meltdown from happening.

Take Your Child to a Safe Space

Find a quiet and safe space to take your child when they’re experiencing a meltdown. You may have to leave the place you happen to be at if what is happening there is causing your child to feel overstimulated. This type of stimuli often appears in public places, such as shopping centres.

Leaving such a place may significantly help calm your child down, since the stimuli that caused the meltdown to begin with is no longer present. These safe spaces are perfect for taking control of the autism meltdown a toddler or older child is having.

Homeopathic remedies that are frequently prescribed for autism meltdowns

There are many homeopathic remedies that can help autism meltdowns. Remedies are always prescribed according to the individual child and their needs.

Some remedies that are prescribed frequently are:

Stramonium – for meltdowns that are fuelled by fear and/or neuroinflammation. The child may bite, kick, scream and hide. They may seem frightened like they are defending themselves against an imaginary threat. Immediate management of the child in the meltdown is required. Remedies are aimed to reduce the frequency and the magnitude of the meltdown.

Tarentula – for meltdowns that are related to feeling under threat. They are destructive and restless while this is happening.

Cina – for meltdowns that are more heightened due to worm or parasite infections. The child may lash out, bite, pinch and be restless.

Phosphorous – for meltdowns that are accompanied by growling and hissing. There is a fear and dread of being left alone.

Make an Appointment for Autism Meltdown Therapy Today

If you would like more information on how homeopathy can assist with autism meltdown therapy and strategies can be used to calm your child down when they’re experiencing an autism meltdown, speak with Sarah from The Family Apothecary today. Feel free to contact her by giving her a call on 0408 542 762 or emailing info@thefamilyapothecary.com.au