At The Atypical View, we recognize that meltdowns are not behavioral problems, they are nervous system responses that call for support and safety.

For many autistic individuals, especially those who are late diagnosed, big emotions are often misunderstood. In childhood, many autistic kids are incorrectly labeled as having too many “tantrums”, when the reality is actually a nervous system response to overwhelm rather than an intentional behavior. This is called a meltdown, and this can extend beyond childhood. Let's explore the difference between meltdowns and tantrums, while also learning how to support an autistic loved one in a meltdown, at any age.

Hi, thanks for listening to The Atypical View. I am Lauren Florio, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California #154915 and Neurodivergent Coach worldwide. 

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While I am a therapist, this content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, clinical diagnosis, medical advice, or individualized coaching. 

Research:

Bradley, L., Shaw, R., Baron-Cohen, S., & Cassidy, S. (2021). Autistic adults’ experiences of masking and its consequences. Autism in Adulthood, 3(4), 320–329. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2020.0071

Marco, E. J., Hinkley, L. B. N., Hill, S. S., & Nagarajan, S. S. (2011). Sensory processing in autism: A review of neurophysiologic findings. Pediatric Research, 69(5), 48–54. https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e3182130c54

Mazefsky, C. A., Herrington, J., Siegel, M., Scarpa, A., Maddox, B., Scahill, L., & White, S. W. (2013). The role of emotion regulation in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(7), 679–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.05.006

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