Managing Meltdowns and Tantrums on the Autism Spectrum: A Parent and Caregiver's Guide

by Jenna Ward-Hawkes, Melissa Rodi

This book is ideal for parents and carers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 2 - 9 (and potentially older depending on developmental level), who are looking for guidance and proactive behavioural strategies in managing tantrums and meltdowns. It offers an empathetic approach and provides explanations of what goes on in the brain and body of someone experiencing a meltdown, describing sensory reactions and brain processes. The authors help the reader to distinguish between tantrums and meltdowns, and how to react to these different emotional states. Summarising key strategies, the book then provides short- and long-term strategies to implement, offering practical response plans and a toolbox of techniques that empower parents to further support their child.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

80 pages, Paperback

Published August 21, 2019

Reviews

[Moniek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Napisana w bardzo życzliwy sposób. Ogromnie pomocna, zmieniła moje postrzeganie pewnych sytuacji z pracy.

[Kimberly Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and helpful book!

15- chart showing how certain people can be triggered much easier than others. Their window of tolerance is smaller. Makes me wonder what I can do to help those people regulate to help stretch their windows of tolerance little by little.
25- identifying triggers- transitions, unmet expectations, "no"

Tantrums are shorter than meltdowns. Meltdowns take longer to recover from.

34- Withdrawing and freezing is just as troublesome to adults, because the child is showing us that they are having a hard time coping. Even if they are not blowing up.

ABC- Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence charts are available or easy to make if I want to keep track of behaviors and triggers
Use a scatterplot to show me when most of the triggers happen, and when the meltdowns happen
60- saying to yourself, "There is nothing I can do for my child right now." Remind them that it will be over soon. A meltdown is not fun for them either
Preparing a backpack for when you go out loaded with support items! Snacks, headphones, a stuffy, etc.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first 40 pages but the rest was stuff I already knew so I stopped reading it. It had good info and was an easy read.

[Madison Brodoski · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this while babysitting. some interesting insights about behavior management for ASD kids, but not much i didn’t already know

[Kori Gedris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easily read, practical book with excellent advice on managing meltdowns and tantrums with children on the autism spectrum.