Managing a Meltdown

Isolation is a stressful time for everyone, your children will be struggling to adjust to their new routine and make sense of what is happening. Resources on the social stories page and tool page will help. However it is likely that the stresses of what is happening will impact on your child's behaviour, You know your child better than anyone but here are some useful coping strategies which may help

Stay calm and don't shout
if your child has triggers which have caused the meltdown remove them
remove other children and things from the situation - reduce stimulations
talk in a calm soothing voice
give clear short instructions
remove anything that can cause them harm
don't tell them off
Stay close and watch them without over crowding them
Use breathing exercises https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/calming-breathing-techniques-kids/
When they are calming down give them a cuddle - big squeezes help to calm
when they have calmed down - let them relax, give them a drink or snack, chewing will help to calm them further
retreat to a quiet space
when they are ready talk to them about what happened so that you can avoid it again in the future

Remember a meltdown is not bad behaviour, it is when your child is so overwhelmed and overloaded that they cannot communicate this - they have lost their words. They are having a fight or flight response and they have lost control, they really need you not to.

18 Strategies for de-escalation

https://hes-extraordinary.com/de-escalation-techniques

Pushing a wall to settle the nervous system

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKHU1a3HQGE

Using Physical work to calm the brain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZC5_2UC0lE

Sipping water for self-care during the school day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUxuElz_FEM

Taking a walk to de-escalate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grFYCzYn8G0