Meltdown

I've a theory about meltdowns - probably not original either - but I'm just emphasising this seems to be an unconventional view.

The triggers in proximity are 'last straws'  - the causes of meltdown are longer term and relate to underlying issues. As I say, I'm not sure this interpretation is backed by the experts who keep addressing temporally proximal triggers.

However I could make an analogy to a non-autistic person having one of those days - when you actually 'explode' its usually something small that pushes you over the edge. For someone with autism most days are potentially bad days - there's just too much going on to cope with.

People on the spectrum worry a lot. They analyse everything that happens to them (as they don't get good feedback from social interaction). They may still be analysing things that happened weeks ago they still haven't resolved. These worries build up and take up much mental activity. They also undermine self confidence and self esteem.

It might help to get them to discuss unresolved issues playing on their minds. Sometimes it may just be an explanation that helps them find closures.

If they don't feel they can discuss at least encourage them to write things down - in a private diary - so the issues bothering them are on paper, and they know where they are - so can let them slip out from the daily mental churn.

Also help them to find ways of tackling worries so as to reduce the numbers of these when meltdowns are frequent.

I emphasise this is just my theory, though it is what I've always practiced myself. If the pressure is building up I write them down, determine if I can resolve some of them easily, and try to reduce the number of worries, to lower the pressure. I do get entrenchedly angry about things I perceive as unjust, and when I know it is getting out of hand, I do an audit, and chuck out as much as I can.

It might help reduce the frequency and severity of meltdowns if there was less long term pressure building up - the minor triggers could then have kless impact.

I've a theory about meltdowns - probably not original either - but I'm just emphasising this seems to be an unconventional view.

The triggers in proximity are 'last straws'  - the causes of meltdown are longer term and relate to underlying issues. As I say, I'm not sure this interpretation is backed by the experts who keep addressing temporally proximal triggers.

However I could make an analogy to a non-autistic person having one of those days - when you actually 'explode' its usually something small that pushes you over the edge. For someone with autism most days are potentially bad days - there's just too much going on to cope with.

People on the spectrum worry a lot. They analyse everything that happens to them (as they don't get good feedback from social interaction). They may still be analysing things that happened weeks ago they still haven't resolved. These worries build up and take up much mental activity. They also undermine self confidence and self esteem.

It might help to get them to discuss unresolved issues playing on their minds. Sometimes it may just be an explanation that helps them find closures.

If they don't feel they can discuss at least encourage them to write things down - in a private diary - so the issues bothering them are on paper, and they know where they are - so can let them slip out from the daily mental churn.

Also help them to find ways of tackling worries so as to reduce the numbers of these when meltdowns are frequent.

I emphasise this is just my theory, though it is what I've always practiced myself. If the pressure is building up I write them down, determine if I can resolve some of them easily, and try to reduce the number of worries, to lower the pressure. I do get entrenchedly angry about things I perceive as unjust, and when I know it is getting out of hand, I do an audit, and chuck out as much as I can.

It might help reduce the frequency and severity of meltdowns if there was less long term pressure building up - the minor triggers could then have kless impact.