If you are the parent of a child with autism, it is almost 100% likely that your child has suffered with at least one meltdown. All children have tantrums when they are young, but they usually grow out of them at around 3 years old, as they learn to talk and communicate. With autistic children, tantrums and meltdowns can last well into their young adult life. If your child has very few skills to communicate their needs to you,then they are likely to have more tantrums and meltdowns.Tantrums are usually causedbya child not being able to have what they want or do what they want to do. Meltdowns are different, in that they are brought on by over stimulation, sensory overload, poor behaviour reaction to certain foods or medication, anxiety, lack of understanding, fear of change, feeling uncomfortable in their clothes . The list is almost endless.When your child has a complete meltdown, you may not have seen it coming or if you have, not been in a position to stop it escalating. So what do you do?STAY CALM, GENTLE AND QUIETLY SPOKENYour child is out of control and will not listen to reason, or be interested at all,inthe fact that you are in Tesco and the whole supermarket aisle appears to be watching your every move and tutting disapprovingly.STAY COMPLETELY FOCUSED AND PRESENT FOR YOUR CHILDIgnore the rest of the world. Your only purpose is to help your child through their meltdown. Make sure they are not near anything that could harm them, ornear anyone they could harm. Keep them safe and eventually they will calm. It may seem like forever, but be patient.KEEP A DIARY AND LEARN TO SEE THE TRIGGERSIt could be anything that has sent your child into a spiralling meltdown, so keeping a diary is a great idea. Over time, you may start to see patterns developing, e.g. every time their wear their greenjumper, every time they are in an environment with fluorescent lighting or every time you take them shopping straight from school.MELTOWN AGGRESSIONIf your childs meltdown starts to turn to aggression, either towards themselves or towards you, remain calm, but take some action. WhenEmily had meltdowns, when she was younger, she would bite and grip really hard. I never went anywhere without a toothbrush, which she loved to bite and a hard sponge brick, which she could really dig her nails into. Try to work out what purpose a particular aggression is serving for your child andhave something to give themthat creates the same effector sensation, but hurts no-one.It may not seem like it, when your child is trying to bite your arm and grip you, but they really do not want to hurt you it isnt about you!WHEN THE MELTDOWN IS OVERIf you are out of the house when your child has a meltdown, as soon as it is over, gently and as quickly as you can, get your child home.If you are already at home, spend some time just being with your child and do what they need you to do. Be easy, relaxed and predictable.As soon as your child is feeling relaxed and happy again, its time to take care of you. Do something that relaxes you, whether its as simple as a cup of tea and a piece of cake, or listening to beautiful music.Take care.

THE AUTISM NANNYwww.theautismnanny.co.uk