A guide to Autism and Panic attacks. Open to all
Hi. I've gotten some members who ask me what happens when I have a meltdown or some that appear shy to talk to me when I'm in one. I have had listeners who refuse to talk to me because they end up getting confused. I've had mods who get very confused due to not knowing the way to interact with me. Hopefully this will help you all out! - Allie
I have recently started supporting Allie @sunshinegiraffe123 and we have been discussing the fact that a lot of listeners are unsure how to support someone with autism when they are having a meltdown. We have worked together to come up with some information that might help
What is Autism?
Autism is a developmental disability that is lifelong. It can affect how people perceive the world and interact with others.
What is a meltdown?
According to National Autistic Society A meltdown is ‘an intense response to overwhelming situations. It happens when someone becomes completely overwhelmed by their current situation and temporarily loses behavioural control. This loss of control can be expressed verbally (eg shouting, screaming, crying), physically (eg kicking, lashing out, biting) or in both ways.
Many autistic people will show signs of distress before having a meltdown, which is sometimes referred to as the rumble stage. They may start to exhibit signs of anxiety such as pacing, seek reassurance through repetitive questioning or physical signs such as rocking or becoming very still.
What can I do to help?
Here are some tips for when you are chatting to a member/guest with Autism who is having a panic attack or meltdown or starting to meltdown -
Dos
- Offer to send them a PM if they are in a chatroom or forum
- Stay very calm
- Be patient
- Provide a safe space for them to express their emotions
- Ask if there is anything you can do to help
- Send short messages that are easy to read
- Use familiar and repetitive language
- Remind them to take slow and deep breaths
- Reassure them that this will pass
- Reassure them that you are there for them and that they are ok
- Let them have their moment, but be there for support as sometimes they get confused
- Seek support yourself if you need it from someone who has more experience
Do nots
- Send long, hard to read messages
- Force them to open up or answer questions
- Use sarcastic language
- Be offended if they shout or become mad
- Shout at them or be annoyed with them because of their behaviour
- Threaten to report them to a mod for freaking out as this can make them worse
Any questions, feel free to comment or send me a message!
Useful links:
- National Autistic Society - Meltdowns
- National Autistic Society - What is autism?
- National Autistic Society - Communication
Hello commods and mods,
I have spoken to a few people who have agreed with me mainly listeners, that they don't have the training to handle a meltdown or don't know how to approach someone who is on the spectrum. This is something I shoudve done a while ago, but I never did it. I'm not asking for training to be done with the listeners, I'm just asking if you guys can read and leave a message below either saying read, or with a question that I'll answer, as you all are the people listeners look up to. I hope to bring more awareness to this guide as the support plus community grows as well.
Also, a meltdown is not a crisis, Meltdowns and crisis situations are two different things. Crisis involves being asked to contact an outside source, meltdowns involve someone being there to support the person who is having a meltdown.
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@sunshinegiraffe123
I have read your post and I do help all who come to me whether to just refresh their memory or answer a question with links if possible to their concerns. I love help anyone who comes to me because it makes me feel I can make that Listener comfortable in their roles.
@pamharley003
Thats great to hear Pam. I truly appreciate you.
@sunshinegiraffe123
Your welcome, if I can be of any help anywhere please let me know
@Gracey
This is very helpful and structured and am grateful that someone describes it to people so we may be better understood and be together with other people...thank you for a proffessional window insight into our conditions...
Echolalia can seem like a person repeating words they dont understand, rather than trying to communicate. But echolalia can in fact be meaningful communication. ( no link )
from grace communication link
All listeners should try and alert the person they are talking to before disappearing as the person may get concerned.
@sunshinegiraffe123
I have found your thread...it does help alot...ty sunshine..😔
@reddotonblack
So glad u found this!
@sunshinegiraffe123
It is a very useful thread Sunshine both for afflicted ones like me with a wide spectrum and both for people who interract with us to understand us and accept us and not freak out..."normal" is just a statistic, if we are not part of the statistic "normal" majority it does not mean that we shouldn't be integrated and together...minds and souls just have to open wider and warmer...
Am truly glad I found the tgread...😶
@reddotonblack
After weeks of being in the newer rooms it was starting to frustrate me. I reached out to the adult teen listeners and came across grace @gracey . She was willing to listen to me and since she works with people like me she was very accepting. I opened up to her and explained about the listeners and other members and today I hit my breaking point and said I wanted to change the way people viewed me and others on the spectrum.
ATTENTION MODS AND MEMBERS
How come normal not on the spectrum people dont get told to mute everyone in the room when they arent supportive but the minute I say Im on the spectrum and some things are hard for me , I get told to mute everyone in the room
@sunshinegiraffe123 I can't speak to chats rooms or reasons... BUT..
I think autism in general is very misunderstood. It's a wide spectrum and not a one sized fits all diagnosis IMO. I was diagnosed when I was very young and am lucky to be high functioning. My parents(even tho they weren't the best) did a good thing and got me in speech therapy as well as early development classes to help. I still very much struggle with "normal" people. They don't get it and I just accept it now.
I have 2 people who I manage who are also on the spectrum. I absolutely love them both because they tell me whats up every time and work is almost always perfect. Before coming to my team they were "difficult to work with", but I think it was more that their matter of factness was misunderstood as being mean/rude when omg... they were just trying to help.
The way I say things or what I say...to me, seems just matter of fact and obvious. For others they don't see that same view, and then i get frustrated because in my mind it's sooo simple like how do they not see this?
I do talk a lot too tho 😅
@sunshinegiraffe123, i feel this. Hopefully it has gotten better for you!
An individual with a disability is defined in the act as someone who has "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment." The regulations define "physical or mental impairment" as any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more body systems, such as neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, immune, circulatory, hemic, lymphatic, skin, and endocrine. The regulations also cover any mental or psychological disorder, such as intellectual disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness and specific learning disabilities
Shrm .org
Thank you for this post.