Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Meltdown?Warning SignsSymptomsPreventionManagement
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is a Meltdown?
Warning Signs
Symptoms
Prevention
Management
An autistic meltdown is often mistaken for a temper tantrum, but they are different. Autistic meltdowns are cries of distress due to sensory or emotional overwhelm. Tantrums are emotional outbursts in response to unmet needs or desires.
Mayte Torres / Getty Images
An autistic meltdown is an involuntary reaction to nervous system overload. The response is not behavioral, but an uncontrollable physical response to the intense emotions that take over.
In young children, an autistic meltdown looks much like a temper tantrum but can be more intense. After all, one of the meanings of the word “meltdown” is the catastrophic exposure of radioactive material in a nuclear reactor accident.
Autistic meltdowns are not age-related and may happen at any age. Older children,teens, andautistic adultscan also experience meltdowns—even those who have low support needs (consideredhigh functioning).
The Difference Between a Tantrum and an Autistic Meltdown
An autistic meltdown is bigger, more emotional, longer-lasting, and more difficult to manage than a temper tantrum. Tantrums and meltdowns also have different causes.
Early Warning Signs
Prior to a meltdown, an autistic person will often start to show signs of distress. These can be subtle, like biting their nails or asking to leave, or more obvious, like covering their ears with their hands.
It’s important to be aware that these behaviors are a response to stress and/orsensory overloadand not a form of manipulation. Early warning signs include:
Signs of Autism
Signs of an Autistic Meltdown
Autistic meltdowns vary in intensity and may include:
Autistic meltdowns often last at least 20 minutes beyond the removal of the initial trigger.
After a meltdown, it can take a while for an autistic person to recover. Allow them time and space to regain emotional regulation.
In the aftermath of a meltdown, autistic people are often unable to recall the details of what happened.Avoid trying to discuss in the initial hours after the meltdown.
1:05Click Play to Learn More About Autistic Stimming
1:05
Click Play to Learn More About Autistic Stimming
Preventing Meltdowns
Recognize Triggers
Sensory overload is a common meltdown trigger. This can include lights, sounds, smells, and different textures (like tags on clothes or seams in socks). Emotional overwhelm and stress can also trigger meltdowns.
If you know your child’s triggers, you can find ways to avoid them or make them more manageable. For instance:
Heed the Warnings
Keep an eye out for the subtle signs of overwhelm and take action to eliminate the cause or move the child to a calmer space.
Signs of building distress include anxiety, irritability, and stimming behaviors. Older children may be able to verbalize they are getting overwhelmed. When you see these signs, take action.
Managing Meltdowns
Each autistic person is unique, and there is no one technique that helps everyone. Calming tools you can try with your child include:
Safety,both for the autistic person and others in the area, is important. Bolting, hitting, self-abuse, and screaming can be particularly frightening and dangerous.
It may be necessary to move the individual to a quiet room until the meltdown is over. Sometimes, this may require more than one person to avoid injury.
Therapeutic strategies including functional behavioral assessment, reinforcement strategies, and functional communication training can help reduce the frequency and intensity of meltdowns and other aggressive behavior in autistic people.
Summary
20 Ways to Handle an Autistic Meltdown
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Autism Research Institute.Meltdowns and calming techniques in autism.Goldin RL, Matson JL, Tureck K, Cervantes PE, Jang J.A comparison of tantrum behavior profiles in children with ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD and ADHD.Comparative Study Res Dev Disabil. 2013 Sep;34(9):2669-75. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.04.022Organization for Autism Research.The cycle of tantrums, rage and meltdowns.Boat TF, Wu JT, Committee to Evaluate the Supplemental Security Income Disability Program for Children with Mental Disorders, et al.8. Clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. In: Mental Disorders and Disabilities Among Low-Income Children.Reframing Autism.All about autistic meltdowns: a guide for allies.Lewis LF, Stevens K.The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults.Autism. 2023;27(6):1817–25. doi:10.1177/13623613221145783Mazefsky CA, Herrington J, Siegel M, et al.The role of emotion regulation in autism spectrum disorder.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013;52(7):679-88. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.006.Fitzpatrick SE, Srivotakiat L, Wink LK, Pedapati EV, Erickson CA.Aggression in autism spectrum disorder: presentation and treatment options.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:1525-38. doi:10.2147/NDT.S84585
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Autism Research Institute.Meltdowns and calming techniques in autism.Goldin RL, Matson JL, Tureck K, Cervantes PE, Jang J.A comparison of tantrum behavior profiles in children with ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD and ADHD.Comparative Study Res Dev Disabil. 2013 Sep;34(9):2669-75. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.04.022Organization for Autism Research.The cycle of tantrums, rage and meltdowns.Boat TF, Wu JT, Committee to Evaluate the Supplemental Security Income Disability Program for Children with Mental Disorders, et al.8. Clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. In: Mental Disorders and Disabilities Among Low-Income Children.Reframing Autism.All about autistic meltdowns: a guide for allies.Lewis LF, Stevens K.The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults.Autism. 2023;27(6):1817–25. doi:10.1177/13623613221145783Mazefsky CA, Herrington J, Siegel M, et al.The role of emotion regulation in autism spectrum disorder.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013;52(7):679-88. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.006.Fitzpatrick SE, Srivotakiat L, Wink LK, Pedapati EV, Erickson CA.Aggression in autism spectrum disorder: presentation and treatment options.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:1525-38. doi:10.2147/NDT.S84585
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Autism Research Institute.Meltdowns and calming techniques in autism.Goldin RL, Matson JL, Tureck K, Cervantes PE, Jang J.A comparison of tantrum behavior profiles in children with ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD and ADHD.Comparative Study Res Dev Disabil. 2013 Sep;34(9):2669-75. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.04.022Organization for Autism Research.The cycle of tantrums, rage and meltdowns.Boat TF, Wu JT, Committee to Evaluate the Supplemental Security Income Disability Program for Children with Mental Disorders, et al.8. Clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. In: Mental Disorders and Disabilities Among Low-Income Children.Reframing Autism.All about autistic meltdowns: a guide for allies.Lewis LF, Stevens K.The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults.Autism. 2023;27(6):1817–25. doi:10.1177/13623613221145783Mazefsky CA, Herrington J, Siegel M, et al.The role of emotion regulation in autism spectrum disorder.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013;52(7):679-88. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.006.Fitzpatrick SE, Srivotakiat L, Wink LK, Pedapati EV, Erickson CA.Aggression in autism spectrum disorder: presentation and treatment options.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:1525-38. doi:10.2147/NDT.S84585
Autism Research Institute.Meltdowns and calming techniques in autism.
Goldin RL, Matson JL, Tureck K, Cervantes PE, Jang J.A comparison of tantrum behavior profiles in children with ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD and ADHD.Comparative Study Res Dev Disabil. 2013 Sep;34(9):2669-75. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.04.022
Organization for Autism Research.The cycle of tantrums, rage and meltdowns.
Boat TF, Wu JT, Committee to Evaluate the Supplemental Security Income Disability Program for Children with Mental Disorders, et al.8. Clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. In: Mental Disorders and Disabilities Among Low-Income Children.
Reframing Autism.All about autistic meltdowns: a guide for allies.
Lewis LF, Stevens K.The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults.Autism. 2023;27(6):1817–25. doi:10.1177/13623613221145783
Mazefsky CA, Herrington J, Siegel M, et al.The role of emotion regulation in autism spectrum disorder.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013;52(7):679-88. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.006.
Fitzpatrick SE, Srivotakiat L, Wink LK, Pedapati EV, Erickson CA.Aggression in autism spectrum disorder: presentation and treatment options.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:1525-38. doi:10.2147/NDT.S84585
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
