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PLEASE HELP!!!

NAS89309

Hi, I’m new here and need someone’s help, my son was diagnosed with ASD over a year and half ago, he is 4 years old but over the past 7 months he started having really bad meltdowns to the point where he hits himself, he is nonverbal but leads by hand. When he has his meltdown it can last as long as 2-3 hours, in that time I try everything and anything to help redirect his attention, by putting on his favourite tv show, putting on sensory lights, giving him his favourite toy you name It I try it but once he starts his meltdown I can’t seem to stop it. Does anyone else have this and if so how do you help calm your child? Please help I would really appreciate it, it just breaks my heart to see him like this.

  • Hey, oh bless you. It is so incredibly hard trying to find out what has triggered the meltdown. My son is 9 now, we still struggle as his are sensory related(sound and smell). Only the past 2 years I managed to find a few strategies to help. 

    Things such as deep pressure hugs (like a bear hug) to feel secure, weighted blanket, sensory sock (a huge fabric elastic thing to go in). Distraction of their favourite topic, so in same room, go towards for example a set of toys they love and be positive, say 'wow this is amazing,show me' 

    Even a change of person as in that time, they may be stuck in the vulnerable meltdown mode where its the same surroundings ect. 

    There's even times I've had to do silly stuff like attempt a handstand. Just for change of situation. However this all depends on what sensory/situation has overwhelmed them. It's a learning journey to.find what works best.

    Good luck mamma. You aren't alone xxx

  • That sounds incredibly upsetting for both of you. Can you identify anything that has changed in his life that might have triggered this? Does he go to nursery or school? 

  • You say he’s four which is around school starting age. Tell me did he start school or some similar sort of institution around seven months ago?

  • Do you know what the trigger is? It’s probably better to prevent the meltdowns if you can but I appreciate it can be difficult to work out, especially in a non verbal child. Are there any specific places, noises, or lights. Is he always wearing a particular item of clothing?

  • Hi I’m also new here and going through exactly the same thing my son is 6 and was only diagnosed in June. It’s awful having to go through this my son had a meltdown yesterday and he was hitting telling me he didn’t love me and that I had ruined his day etc (this happened while on a school trip to the local library). It took and good 3-4 hours for him to come out of it and today his still not his usual self. I wish I had some ideas for you to try but u have already done what I would suggest. All I do when my son gets like that is to just leave him but let him no I’m there until he gets himself through it