Krazy Kiwi in here Please

[grandmoon]

I and hoping for some advice from you.

I am doing some volunteering and one of the clients has a little boy about 4 year old who is autistic.  So far he hasn't had a full meltdown when he is with us.

As we also have some client who are old and some who have mobility problems I would like to have some strategies in place to help the mother if it happens.  The mother is trying very hard with this little boy and is very welcome to bring him with her at anytime.

Does offering her lollies or biscuits help ?  (The old fashion idea of feeling them)

I would welcome any suggestion you have.

[azureline**]

Not all autistic children have meltdowns.... and nothing helps... no food, no lollies, no toys... if it does help, the child is probably having a regular old tantrum.... avoidance of the triggers is the key. (if you know what the triggers are)

[izabsmiling]

the most appropriate thing for you to do is show the child's Mother some respect and ask her and/or leave it to her....nothing has happened...so it may never be an issue.

If you give the impression that you have more power to decide how her child should be managed  

 IF there is ever a problem while they are BOTH there you discredit her role as a parent.She is a parent and her child is her child just like any other parent and child.Give them both the same respect you would anyone else.

[aspie*mum]

I would ask the mother.  All autistic children are different AND when in a meltdown some CAN sometimes be distracted.  Some autistic kids learn to self regulate - when in a meltdown they can learn strategies to help themselves (although extremely unlikely as a 4yo).

When my daughter has a meltdown, there is no reasoning with her.  It's best to try and get her to her bedroom and lay on the bed with her until she calms down (she is almost 7).  When in a meltdown, there is nothing I can say or do to stop it.  But I know the signs and can mostly avoid them.  Giving her pre-warning of change helps her.  L, it is 10 minutes until packup time.   L, it is 5 minutes until packup time.  When she has advanced notice, she has time to get used to the change.  Coming in and saying "Time to packup"....could trigger a melt down.

She is learning to self regulate - when her feelings get to a "5" she knows she is starting to lose it and says "My feelings are at a 5" and then we can work together to calm her down.  But she also has intensive weekly psychology sessions.

[*pepe]

good on you for wanting to be prepared and to want to help.

as has already been said - asking the mum for these answers is your best bet.

[grandmoon]

I would ask the mother.  All autistic children are different AND when in a meltdown some CAN sometimes be distracted.  Some autistic kids learn to self regulate - when in a meltdown they can learn strategies to help themselves (although extremely unlikely as a 4yo).

When my daughter has a meltdown, there is no reasoning with her.  It's best to try and get her to her bedroom and lay on the bed with her until she calms down (she is almost 7).  When in a meltdown, there is nothing I can say or do to stop it.  But I know the signs and can mostly avoid them.  Giving her pre-warning of change helps her.  L, it is 10 minutes until packup time.   L, it is 5 minutes until packup time.  When she has advanced notice, she has time to get used to the change.  Coming in and saying "Time to packup"....could trigger a melt down.

She is learning to self regulate - when her feelings get to a "5" she knows she is starting to lose it and says "My feelings are at a 5" and then we can work together to calm her down.  But she also has intensive weekly psychology sessions.

Thanks for that info it is very usefull.  The mother said that he is getting much better and if I am able to support her in any way I will.  She did mention that when he has a meltdown it is a beauty.

We has seen a couple of minor meltdown which his mother was able to handle.