multiple people talking, or talking while showing diagrams and images), sensory distress leads to dysregulation, which then gives way to a meltdown. When the brain becomes overwhelmed with too much information at once to process, anxiety during an activity (or in anticipation of an activity), or being subject to too many forms of information at once (e.g. Input from movement, such as travel or exercise, that is too much or too fastĬognitive stimuli is another common Autistic meltdown contributor. Gustatory input (taste) such as the flavor of foods, drinks, and medicines Olfactory input (smell) such as the smell of food, perfume, people, or animals Visual input such as patterns, busy places, or lights that are too bright Tactile input (touch) such as the different textures of clothing, or being touched by people, or touching/stepping in an unwanted texture Some more specific examples of sensory triggers that could cause or contribute to an Autistic meltdown are:Īuditory input (sounds) such as machines, animals, voices, or music Sensory stimuli (meaning any kind of sound, touch, taste, sight or smell) is one of the most common meltdown triggers. Lack of control over an element of life.Chronic pain, illness or other disability.Co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.Life changes such as marriage, births, moving house, changing jobs etc.A disruptive work, school or home environment.Unmet needs that the person is unable to communicate.Some specific triggers for a meltdown in an Autistic person – child or adult – may be: This memory lapse, in itself, can be distressing and may contribute to subsequent anxiety. In the aftermath of a meltdown, many Autistic people report that they are unable to recall the details of what happened. Sensory meltdowns can also occur, when there is too much external stimuli for the brain to process at once (for example: bright lights, loud music, noises that trigger pain or distress, too many people talking at once, or poor temperature control).Īfter a meltdown, it can take a while for an Autistic person to recover, and they’ll most likely need time and space to regain emotional regulation. Meltdowns are common for Autistic individuals of all ages and levels of support needs, and can often be triggered by rejection sensitivity, distress intolerance and emotional regulation issues. Once a person becomes aware that they are melting down, with support and strategies in place, they are then more able to de-escalate themselves. It’s important to note that a meltdown is never a contrived or pre-meditated act, and an individual often has little to no control over the behaviours that may manifest during the height of a meltdown. rocking, vocal stims, muscle tensing, joint cracking)Īutistic meltdowns can last from ten minutes to an hour or longer, but often last at least 20-30 minutes past the removal of the initial trigger (potentially longer if the trigger is not removed or resolved). Hitting, punching, biting, kicking or pushing (objects, oneself, or others).The sensory systems of Autistic individuals function in a distinct manner, and when faced with overwhelming stimuli, it can lead to a complete meltdown of their emotional and cognitive state. This sheds light on the reason why Autistic individuals are more susceptible to being overwhelmed by their surroundings. Studies have revealed that Autistic individuals possess neurons that exhibit a higher level of connectivity compared to non-Autistic people. What does an Autistic meltdown look like? This results in behaviours of distress, which can manifest in a variety of ways. Too much information from sensory or cognitive stimuli triggers the automatic nervous system, which then signals to the brain that the person is in danger. An Autistic meltdown, also sometimes referred to as an autonomic storm, is a reaction to feelings of intense overwhelm, distress, or dysregulation.Īlthough some may see an Autistic meltdown as a tantrum, or worse – as someone being manipulative to get their way – that is not the case.Ī meltdown is not a conscious behaviour that can be changed, but rather an uncontrollable response to overwhelming feelings a physical reaction to an overwhelmed brain.

Behavior tantrum vs sensory meltdown