Autistic people are often hysterical or meltdown if they feel disappointed or overwhelmed. If you're with an autistic person, it's important to know how to calm them down.
Step
Step 1. If the autistic person speaks fluently, ask what is bothering him or her
If the thing that bothers the autistic person is television commercials or loud noises, remove them from the area or take the autistic person to a quiet place.
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During a severe sensory overload, an autistic person may suddenly lose the ability to speak. This is due to excessive stimulation, and will pass with relaxation time. If an autistic person has lost the ability to speak, ask yes/no questions that can be answered with a thumbs up/down sign
Step 2. Turn off all television, music, etc
and don't touch lightly.
Often, autistic people have problems with sensory input. They hear, feel, and see everything more intensely than anyone else, as if the volume for everything has been turned up.
Step 3. Offer a massage
Many autistic people benefit from massage therapy. Help them into a comfortable position, gently press their temples, massage their shoulders, rub their back or legs. Try to keep your movements gentle, calming, and careful.
Step 4. Don't prevent stimming
Stimming is a series of repetitive movements that are a calming mechanism for autistic people. Examples of stimming include: waving hands, snapping fingers, and swinging. Stimming can help prevent or reduce hysterical symptoms. However, if an autistic person is self-harming (e.g. hitting things, banging his head against a wall, etc.), it's best to stop as much as possible. We recommend using distraction because it will not hurt the autistic person.
Step 5. Offer to gently press the autistic person's body
If the autistic person is sitting, stand behind him and cross his arms in front of his chest. Face to the side and rest your cheek on his head. Hug him tightly, and ask him if he wants to be held tighter or looser. This method is called deep pressure and will help autistic people feel better.
Step 6. If the autistic person is yelling or banging, move objects that could hurt him or her
Protect his head by placing him on your lap, or placing a pillow under him.
Step 7. If the autistic person wants to be touched, do it
Hold him, rub his shoulders and show affection. This will help the autistic person calm down. If he doesn't want to be touched, don't take it to heart. Autistic people just can't handle touch at this point.
Step 8. Remove uncomfortable clothing, if the autistic person wishes
Many autistic people will be more angry because someone else touched or removed their clothes. Scarves, sweaters, or ties can add to the stress on autistic people. Ask beforehand because movement can exacerbate sensory attacks.
Step 9. If you can, take or guide the autistic person to a quiet place
If you can't, persuade someone else in the room to leave. Explain that unexpected sounds and movements are currently too much for the autistic person to handle, and that he or she would be happy to have another visit later.
Step 10. If the situation gets worse, ask for help
Parents, teachers, and caregivers of autistic people may be able to help. They can provide clues regarding the special needs of autistic people.
Tips
- Even if the autistic person is not good at speaking, you can still talk to him. Calm him down and speak in a soft tone. This method can calm the autistic person.
- Stay calm. If you are calm, the autistic person will also feel calm.
- Verbal reassurance can help, but if it doesn't, stop talking and be quiet.
- Withdraw all requests and commands, often suffering is caused by overstimulation. This is why a quiet room is so effective at calming autistic people.
- After hysterical, stay with autistic people. Keep an eye on him as he may feel tired and/or disappointed. Leave him alone if asked, and mature enough to stand on his own.
- Check your clothes before trying to hold the autistic person and calm him down. Some people hate the touch of certain fabrics, such as cotton, flannel, or wool, which will exacerbate the problem. If the autistic person becomes stiff or distant, let him or her go.
- Do not be afraid of hysterical autistic children. Treat it like someone else who is sad.
- Try carrying your child on your shoulder or arm. This method can calm and also stop the child from doing something that is harmful to him.
Warning
- Don't get mad at people who are hysterical. Autistic people may know that hysterics shouldn't be done in public, but this can't be controlled because the stress continues to build up and can no longer be contained.
- Never leave an autistic person alone unless you are in a safe and familiar environment.
- Hysterical is not an attempt to attract attention. Don't treat it like a normal whining. Hysterics is very difficult to control, and often makes autistic people feel ashamed or guilty.
- Never hit an autistic person.
- Never yell at an autistic person. Remember, this may be the only way for an autistic person to express discomfort.
