Kathy Morris – Autism: De-Escalate Meltdowns and Diffuse Explosive Behaviors in Children and Adolescents

Outline

Functions of a Meltdown

• Tantrum vs. meltdown
• Stages of a meltdown
• Sensory issues vs. behavior issues
• Meltdown intervention video

Sensory Strategies

• Easy-to-use sensory tools and apps to calm
• Overstimulation and sensory breakdowns
• Therapy session and classroom structure for optimal learning

Executive Functioning Strategies

• Visual cues, music and software designed to increase attention and focus
• High interest areas to strengthen motivation and engagement
• Visual reminders for routines and predictability
• Visual structures to promote organization

Self-Regulation Strategies

• Video modeling, t-charts, social stories, social scripts, emotions charts to develop self-control
• Tools that promote self-monitoring of behavior
• Power cards and visual checklists as powerful incentives to change behavior

Social/Emotional Communication Strategies

• Social scripts and social stories to develop social interaction
• Video modeling and role planning to demonstrate appropriate interactions
• First person stories for positive behavior changes and affirmations

Explosive Behavior Strategies

• Recognize the warning signs of a meltdown in order to prevent it
• Surprise cards, change of schedule cues and transition markers to alleviate anxiety
• Visual cues to depict expected behavior
• Converting the verbal to a visual

Techniques for After the Meltdown

• Strategies for instructional consequences
• Chart appropriate/inappropriate behaviors
• Activities for reviewing behaviors when calm
• Cartooning to facilitate feedback
• Strategies for providing systematic feedback
• Reinforcement for communication strategies
• Identify feelings and review behavior

Hands-on Activities

• Demonstrate video of a child having meltdown
• Appropriate and meaningful replacement behaviors for physical aggression
• Instructional consequences for a meltdown