There is nothing amusing about the meltdown. It is every known form of manipulation, anger, and loss of control that a person can muster up to display. It is loud, risky at times, frustrating, and exhausting. It is scary. The best definition is a total loss of behavioral control. The meltdown is a common autistic characteristic feared and dreaded by both caregivers and autistics. It stressed me. I feel so tired, fear, angry, all at once. My 2y6m old autistic son, Sean, has the meltdown whenever he is interrupted by someone, while he is lining up his blocks, or while he is playing with his tablet and suddenly it ran out of battery. During the meltdown, He acts wild, crying and screaming, both legs kicking, banging his head on the wall or floor, throwing his body and rolling on the floor. Sometimes he pulls my hair or my 5yo daughter's hair. Otherwise, he pulls my shirt until it tears off. Other then that, he kicks me at my stomach or face, that's common for me even though it often leaves bruises and bleeding lips on me. I tried to calm him down but he kicked me and pushed me away, doesn't like to be cuddled. It breaks my heart so badly. Hearing the loud screaming of my own child is like killing me deep inside my heart especially when I'd tried my best to calm him down but he still can't stop, as if something pulls him back and leaves him in this uncontrollable behavior. I feel so sorry for him, especially at his age he still doesn't understand the situation. All I can do is just stay by his side and watch him until he stops, my tears falling without realizing it. Blaming myself for not understand his need since he still can't talk yet. But he will stop at a certain point. The whole process is like a nightmare to me. Sometimes, I suddenly woke up at night, I thought I heard him scream, but it's not. it's just a silly dream of mine.
Raising my autistic son makes me realize that meltdowns are very common in public places. It happens almost all the time when we went for outdoor. This is one of the reason that I can't bring him out by myself. *RAISE MY BOTH HANDS AND SURRENDER* My hubby has to be with us too. I can't imagine what will happen without my hubby around. When the meltdown happens at public places, one of us has to pull him out, wrap his arms and legs from behind and carry him into the car, try to calm him by giving him his favorite snack which is always ready inside the car, turn on the music player and so on. But it's always my hubby dealing with this. Then, I'll make a quick shopping because we need to rush back home. I search some info about how to decrease the meltdowns, for me, the best way is to PREVENT. There is always a solution for every problems or difficulties, I'll always search and learn, and do my best for him.
Here are more information about meltdown, it is different from tantrum.
This video shows Sean was in the middle of meltdowns. There are a few short videos were taken at different times, and I combine it all become 1 video. Catch your breath and watch.
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