MELTDOWNS
While tantrums are behavioral in nature, meltdowns have a
sensory, physiological basis that warrant different management
strategies. While neither are fun outbursts to experience,
focus part of your energy on proactively supporting your child’s
emotional regulation.
6. Preferred scented hand lotion: can be helpful
in combating offensive odors in the environ-
ment and instead offering a calming, preferred
smell
Morin, Amanda. “The Difference Between Tantrums and
Sensory Meltdowns.”Understood.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May
2017.
“Why Toddlers Throw Temper Tantrums.” Parenting. N.p., 17
Feb. 2015. Web. 25 May 2017.
7. Fidget toy: something repetitive, simple, and
preferred can have a calming effect
8. Communication board with basic symbols or
phrases such as: “I need a break,” “Let’s go,” “Too
loud”
9. Meltdown cards or another way to communi-
cate to bystanders your child’s needs and your
response
ANTRUMS, MELTDOWNS, AND
T
POINTS TO REMEMBER
While tantrums are behavioral in nature, meltdowns
have a sensory, physiological basis that warrant dif-
ferent management strategies. While neither are fun
outbursts to experience, focus part of your energy
on proactively supporting your child’s emotional
regulation. In the moments of tantrum or meltdown,
use the guidelines we’ve outlined above to find what
works for your child. Don’t forget to b-r-e-a-t-h-e as
you support your child’s regulation.
Resources
Autistic Meltdown or Temper Tantrum? by Judy Endow,
MSW.” Ollibean. N. p., 10 Nov. 2016. Web. 25 May 2017.
“26 Sensory Integration Tools for Meltdown Management
- Friendship Circle - Special Needs Blog.” Friendship Circle --
Special Needs Blog. N.p., 18 Nov. 2015. Web. 25 May 2017.
Bennett, David D. “Decreasing Tantrum/Meltdown Behaviors
of School Children with High Functioning Autism through
Parent Training.” Social Science. N.p., 04 Feb. 2014. Web. 25
May 2017.
Caroline Miller. “Why Do Kids Have Tantrums and Melt-
downs?” Child Mind Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2017.
14 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 68
Alescia Ford-Lanza, MS, OTR/L, ATP, is an occupa-
tional therapist and assistive technology practi-
tioner who specializes in educationally relevant in-
terventions with a focus on sensory integration and
assistive technology supports to learning. She is a
therapist, consultant, and speaker who works to in-
form parents, inspire teachers, and include children
of all abilities! Alescia is a contributing Advisory
Board member of Wolf+Friends and a contributing
content writer for Harkla. Through her education-
al, parent-friendly blog posts, Alescia helps connect
families with therapy-informed products and de-
velopment-minded activities. She founded Adapt
& Learn, LLC, with the mission that children of all
abilities can play, learn, adapt, and develop with
the right therapeutic and educational supports.
Alescia strives to help children along this continu-
um by fostering a love of learning.
Website: http://www.adaptandlearn.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adaptlearn
Pinterest: @adaptlearn