Are meltdowns part of autism?

Emotional dysregulation is not part of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, emotional meltdowns can be a regular part of daily life for individuals on the spectrum. At least one out of four children with ASD will struggle with severe emotional and behavioral escalations throughout early to middle childhood. Outbursts for individuals with ASD might seem not to have a direct cause but can be a result of accumulated frustration that has suddenly become overwhelming.

Youth with ASD are often aggravated by the following:

• Stress relating to dealing with overwhelming sensory input

• Anxiety related to coping with everyday changes in the environment and routine

• Interruption from being engrossed in favorite object or special interest

• Interruption of self-stimulatory behavior (e.g., nail biting, twirling hair, making clicking noises with the tongue, watching television, eating certain foods, touching things, smelling things, body rocking, clapping, hand flapping, banging the head, biting self, hitting objects, jumping up and down)

• Boredom

• Longing for friendships paired with few skills to fulfill this desire

• Inability to protect oneself from teasing and bullying

• Unpredictable events

• New situations

• Someone invading their personal space

• Not being in control of a situation

• Inability to predict what will happen next

• Homework

• Having to get along with siblings

• Feeling embarrassed due to teasing

• The school setting (e.g., too overwhelming visually, too noisy, having to share attention with others, being required to co-operate with others)

• Busy environments in the community (e.g., mall, theme park, movie theater) that overload the senses to the point of distress or pain

Parents can help by figuring out triggers, modifying the environment to reduce sensory overload, reducing unexpected transitions, and teaching social skills.  For many individuals with autism, it can be helpful to work with professionals such as an occupational therapist or therapist in adapting parenting strategies to meet the individual needs of your child. Like a child with a chronic medical illness requiring home care, parents should not be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help to learn how to manage emotional and behavioral escalations. Kids and teens with ASD have ADVANCED NEEDS compared to neurotypical children. It can be a smart move to ask for help! 

References

Early-Onset Trajectories of Emotional Dysregulation in Autistic Children - PubMed

Emotional dysregulation as a part of the autism spectrum continuum: a literature review from late childhood to adulthood - PMC