![]() For the children because of their constant state of fight or flight, they may calm down a bit and take a deep breath at the end of a threatening situation, but it is usually from their chest, not from their diaphragm. When a threatening situation ends, our bodies and breath should calm. Think about when you are anxious… Do you notice your breath may become short, ragged or you may even hold your breath? This is amplified for people with autism. ![]() Some believe that the child may feel like they are suffocating which must be very terrifying for them. They simply cannot breathe fully which I believe contributes to their panic and escalation of challenging behaviors. They do not exhale and are only able to take tiny shallow inhalations, so over time there is more and more stale air in their body and less space to breathe in fresh air. If you observe a child when they are in complete sensory overload or during a meltdown you may notice they are holding their breath. Fight, flight or freeze becomes their primary option. Because of their exquisite sensitivity, they often feel that many people and situations are unpredictable and frightening. They experience stimuli and circumstances as threatening, intrusive or painful. When caught in a constant feedback loop of fight or flight, these children have an extremely difficult time making accurate value judgements of situations. Their fight and flight mechanism is running all the time. What will register as extreme anxiety for an autistic, may feel like simple fear to us. There is a link between poor breathing and heightened anxiety. Their focus is gone and the outburst takes over. ![]() Full-blown with maybe hitting, biting, kicking, and screaming. Then it comes on fast, the meltdown occurs. You watch their reactions heighten and their anxiety rev up. This is also known as sensory overload.Īlthough it may not be clear what specifically is causing the overload, you know the signs when your child is beginning to escalate. ![]() Each stimulus builds on the last and can create a feeling of overwhelming suffocation. Because their heightened nervous and sensory system are constantly “switched on”, they seem to be constantly receiving too much input from the environment or some subtle, internal reaction. Simply too much of everything bombards them. Too many lights, sounds, smells, emotions, touch, hot and stuffy air. Things can be okay and then wham, too much stimulus coming in so fast. The reality is that there are times when you have to go with your child to the mall and you are willing that this time it will go well. Though meltdowns can easily happen at your home, somehow they feel more manageable in the safest environment. As a result, you may limit your treks out into the world because it is easier to stay out of the public view and in a calmer environment like home. This can come from the concern about how others may react if you child has a meltdown and also evoke feelings of helplessness and shared pain for your child. Find out more about how Marci supports autism parents and professionals at What Causes Meltdowns May Be Different Than You Thinkįor many parents, the very thought of taking your autistic child to the mall can stir up anxiety and brings up memories of previous experiences. This blog is the first in a four-part support series for parents by Marci Lebowitz, occupational therapist and autism specialist.
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