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