How To Turn Meltdowns Into Teaching Opportunities
Meltdowns can be very challenging, especially when they happen in public. As a special needs parent, you’ll most likely experience meltdowns more often than parents of typically developing children especially if your child has difficulty communicating. Luckily, meltdowns can be used to teach proper communication skills that can help your child in the future. Being calm and patient is key to getting the outcome you desire while also following a few steps. Here’s how you can turn meltdowns into teaching opportunities.
1. Acknowledge your child’s emotions and provide comfort
Oftentimes, children have meltdowns because they are unable to communicate their needs. Your child may be having a hard time because they’ve been denied access to something they want, is experiencing sensory overload, or just do not have the words to let you know how they are feeling. Let them know that you understand and you’ll help them through it. Getting upset is the last thing you want to do. Get down to their level, rub their backs, sit on the floor with them, provide comfort and do whatever it takes to get them back to a calm space.
2. Use their methods of communicating
During a meltdown, help your child by giving them the words they can’t get out. You can most times guess based on the situation and what happened prior to them getting to their breaking. If they use a communication device, teach them how to get to the words they need. Use short phrases to avoid confusion and give them time to process.
3. Give options/alternatives
If the meltdown is caused by wanting access to something or an activity, If you can facilitate, go ahead but only after they’ve requested appropriately. If you are unable to honor their request at that moment, offer another option and use “first/then” language.
4. Reinforce appropriate behavior
If they’ve used the language they’ve been given, reinforce their efforts immediately. This will more than likely increase the chances of them using that behavior in the future.
It may be tempting to avoid the meltdown in an effort to get them back in line, but teaching appropriate ways to get what they want is far more effective in the long run. Forget about the people staring and be there for your child.
You got this!!