A meltdown is an intense response to overwhelming sensory, emotional, or cognitive demands, and it is very different from a tantrum. Tantrums are often goal-driven and stop when the goal is met, while meltdowns happen when a child has lost the capacity to cope and may continue regardless of consequences. Children with autism often experience meltdowns when their nervous systems become overloaded. ABA strategies focus on identifying triggers, teaching calming and communication skills, and reducing future overload, rather than punishing the meltdown itself. Walk through the stages in Decoding Autistic Meltdowns: The 6 Stages You Need to Know.
See related: Challenging Behavior, Antecedent, Behavior Function, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
