Every parent knows and understands how it feels when your child is having a meltdown in public. Some people just stare, which is uncomfortable on its own, others are just rude and have unsolicited parenting advice, and many people wish they could help because they’ve been there. Regardless of other people’s responses, it’s never an easy situation to navigate. When your child has anxiety, ADHD, a sensory disorder, or is on the Autism Spectrum, tantrums and meltdowns can be unpredictable and unavoidable. The only thing you can do is handle it while it’s happening and ride it out. The good news is that there are things you can do to help calm and soothe in the moment.
Meltdowns happen when a child is over stimulated, overwhelmed, or uncomfortable. The main thing to understand is that every child reacts and responds differently and it’s impossible to find a one-size-fits-all solution. That said, there are some things that can be done to help manage the meltdowns.
Regulation:
Unknown and unfamiliar situations can cause children with ASD to feel scared and overwhelmed. This can lead to meltdowns. Try to keep a routine schedule to the best of your ability, so your child knows what to expect from each day.
Tools:
When you’re out running errands or on-the-go, it’s impossible to control your surroundings. The best thing you can do is control how you handle a situation. Be prepared with a portable sensory pack that goes with you. This can include anything from sunglasses, weighted lap pads, headphones, or even a sensory chew. Sensory chews are designed to help soothe and calm children and adults and can make a big difference when in the throes of a meltdown.
The Hood Zilla is the perfect option for on-the-go sensory soothing as it has a hood that can help kids feel less visible, plus, it has the Zilla chews right on the strings of the hood so you can be soothed from chewing as well. Check out our Pinterest page for more great ideas for a sensory-on-the-go kit!
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