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AUTISM GLOSSARY
Meltdown
DEFINITION
A meltdown is an involuntary neurological response to sensory, emotional, or cognitive overwhelm. During a meltdown, the autistic person may cry, scream, hit, bite themselves, or become unable to speak. They are not in control and cannot simply stop.
WHY IT MATTERS
Meltdowns are neurological events, not behavioral choices. Responding with punishment or restraint is harmful and ineffective. The appropriate response is safety, reduced stimulation, and patience.
COMMON MISCONCEPTION
Meltdowns are not tantrums. They are not manipulation. They occur even without an audience. They are not a sign of bad parenting. They are a sign of an overwhelmed nervous system.