The Wheels fell off………understanding Sensory Meltdowns.

The Wheels fell off………

A simple word; a look; an action; a strange sound or smell;

Reacting to an environmental or personal issue in a manner that others don’t understand, and then their response starts the roller-coaster of emotionally fuelled actions that continue to spiral out of control.

When others don’t understand or comprehend what our kids go through, their response isn’t always what we would hope for or expect, sometimes the responses are negative and hurtful; and sometime their response triggers yet another tirade from our kids.

Generation after generation have dealt with teaching discipline or perceived inappropriate ‘bad’ behaviour by using different forms of ‘punishment’, believing the child knows they are misbehaving and how they ‘should’ be acting.

Time and time again it may be a parent or another adult displaying a specific action or behaviour that has had the child mimic or imitate what they then were punished for acting out.

‘Do as I say not as I do’…..this type of parenting is not acceptable for any child,

“Actions speak louder than words”, therefore positive actions by a parent or any adult will be imitated by the child, gaining a better outcome.

When an autistic child loses control of their cognitive coping skills the brain goes into an automatic panic mode and the results can become one of three actions –flight-fright-freeze- due to the sensory overload, it then releases a form of behavioural outburst relating to the action they have automatically taken on.

At this moment the best reaction would be to step back assess the situation and keep everyone safe while understanding what is happening and accepting the child truly has no physical control over their actions or behaviour that they are displaying.

To punish a child in this situation would be similar to punishing a child for having a medical illness or condition such as a seizure; or by reacting in an aggressive verbal or physical nature only confirms to the child their right to repeat that action themselves.

During this over-load moment no form of connection or learning strategies will be received or understood by the child and is best left till they are more settled and calm.

These actions, regardless of how they started or where the triggers came from, are ‘real’ and need to be acknowledged for what they are……Sensory Meltdowns

All too often our little one’s face confusing situations that cause uncontrollable outbursts that may escalate due to additional responses by unknowing people either ignorant to the child’s situation or as a personal negativity to others, cruelty, hatred, neglect, disrespect, bullying, etc, to what they don’t accept.

‘Where’ ‘Why’ and ‘Who’ teaches this negativity?

How can people be so cruel? I feel a lot of this is based around jealousy and selfishness, not wanting to be ‘exposed’ to others differences.

We should not just accept that ‘these things happen’, it has gone on too long and it has to stop!

We all deserve to live a peaceful life in whatever way we wish, without being judged or ridiculed.

We are not born with negativity we are taught it through the actions of others we connect with;    

I was raised with the teachings - “If you can’t say anything Nice, then don’t say anything at all”

We need to teach manners and respect, include others equally, accepting everyone’s differences,

Love, care, and understanding…..

The only way this will happen is from the ground up

We need more education and exposure to the differences of others in a positive setting, and then the teaching of acceptance to those differences with the inclusion of all people regardless.

We need these teachings to begin early at the ground level, with all schools and other educational facilities as well as the home environment to be involved 100% and working together for the benefit of all involved.

If we can formulate some sort of working program that gains a connection between autistic understanding and generalised behavioural management in a positive manner and environment, learning and teaching others about the triggers that cause the different actions, teaching appropriate outcomes in a repetitive manner, while in a positive environment, can only be a benefit and gain positive outcomes from all participants that interact and connect together, and will assist the autistic child and gain a better understanding from others exposed to their actions.

We can only hope for a future with more compassion and understanding before we lose all sense of humanity.

Hopefully one step will start a trend….paying it forward….with LOVE!