Re: How should I handle an aggressive meltdown?

[Guest guest]

I can only tell you what I have done with my 17 year old grandson, Karac. In the car I keep his blanket, fruit, bottle water, and his music. When he was younger, I also kept a small sippy cup and I would put a half of a crushed Clonidine in it and he would drink it and calm down in about 20 minutes.

I took Karac to Sunday school for years and I taught him to pray; so I could tell him to ask God to help him calm down, and if I could get him to say it; it would always calm him down. Sometimes even now I will hear him say to himself "God help me calm down".

When he was out in public I would get him to count with me alternating the numbers to get him to move from the right emotional part of his brain to the left more rational side. I also would start singing a song and stop at parts for him to fill in the words,

When the meltdowns were at home; I would suggest going for walk, ride the bike, or swing on the tire swing. If the weather was bad, I would tell him to go upstairs and cover himself with his blanket until he calmed down. When those things didn't work, I had him take an Epson Salt bath; that always worked. Karac also has some comfort foods: pop tart, hot dog, and pop corn. Now when he is about to lose control he recognizes it and will ask for a comfort food or a bath. I think the bath is sort of like the hug box that Temple Grandin made for herself.

You will learn the things that help your sons to calm down, and eventually they will learn to use them to calm themselves down. Let us know what works for you. Pat K

How should I handle an aggressive meltdown?

I have twin boys on the spectrum. Out of the blue...leaving Home Depot my older 7 year old twin began pinching, scratching as I put him in the car. His twin brother goes into protective mode when his brother cries. This meltdown was bad. They were both in the car kicking, drooling...this is new, and scratching. I prayed that no one would call the cops. I was able to put one twin in the front seat and the other twin was in the back seat in total meltdown. I was able to get into my neighbhood with them and the twin in the front seat...began kicking uncontrollably and knocked the rear view mirror down. I then pulled into the garage and let them have at it. I am at my witts end with the meltdowns. Help

The meltdowns continued 45 strong minutes. This was a first for this length.

[Guest guest]

Those are some good answers Pat! I have used some of them on J. He was the 'energy bunny" today! haha! We went to the mall to get his hair cut and he was 5ft. in front of me as we walked.........Which is a good thing because thats the "old" JJ coming back. Lois

Re: How should I handle an aggressive meltdown?

[Guest guest]

Thanks

From: "pkuenstler@..." <pkuenstler@...>autism Sent: Sat, February 27, 2010 7:58:09 PMSubject: Re: How should I handle an aggressive meltdown?

I can only tell you what I have done with my 17 year old grandson, Karac. In the car I keep his blanket, fruit, bottle water, and his music. When he was younger, I also kept a small sippy cup and I would put a half of a crushed Clonidine in it and he would drink it and calm down in about 20 minutes.

I took Karac to Sunday school for years and I taught him to pray; so I could tell him to ask God to help him calm down, and if I could get him to say it; it would always calm him down. Sometimes even now I will hear him say to himself "God help me calm down".

When he was out in public I would get him to count with me alternating the numbers to get him to move from the right emotional part of his brain to the left more rational side. I also would start singing a song and stop at parts for him to fill in the words,

When the meltdowns were at home; I would suggest going for walk, ride the bike, or swing on the tire swing. If the weather was bad, I would tell him to go upstairs and cover himself with his blanket until he calmed down. When those things didn't work, I had him take an Epson Salt bath; that always worked. Karac also has some comfort foods: pop tart, hot dog, and pop corn. Now when he is about to lose control he recognizes it and will ask for a comfort food or a bath. I think the bath is sort of like the hug box that Temple Grandin made for herself.

You will learn the things that help your sons to calm down, and eventually they will learn to use them to calm themselves down. Let us know what works for you. Pat K

How should I handle an aggressive meltdown?

I have twin boys on the spectrum. Out of the blue...leaving Home Depot my older 7 year old twin began pinching, scratching as I put him in the car. His twin brother goes into protective mode when his brother cries. This meltdown was bad. They were both in the car kicking, drooling...this is new, and scratching. I prayed that no one would call the cops. I was able to put one twin in the front seat and the other twin was in the back seat in total meltdown. I was able to get into my neighbhood with them and the twin in the front seat...began kicking uncontrollably and knocked the rear view mirror down. I then pulled into the garage and let them have at it. I am at my witts end with the meltdowns. HelpThe meltdowns continued 45 strong minutes. This was a first for this length.

[Guest guest]

Lois, that makes me smile. I'm so glad you have your J back. Love and continued prayers. Pat K

Re: How should I handle an aggressive meltdown?

Those are some good answers Pat! I have used some of them on J. He was the 'energy bunny" today! haha! We went to the mall to get his hair cut and he was 5ft. in front of me as we walked.........Which is a good thing because thats the "old" JJ coming back. Lois

Re: How should I handle an aggressive meltdown?

[Guest guest]

Thanks pat! He was a loud mouth today.....ALL day!haha!J had been running in the 200's in the morning and 400's at night BUT this morning he was 185!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats the lowest he has been since this started! The sugar med must be working and/or switiching him off of zpraxa.......(slowey) and adding the resperdal ...........I am not sure which one is doing it.....maybe a little of both. Lois

Re: How should I handle an aggressive meltdown?