Behaviour topics
Meltdown vs tantrum
Understood for all is based in New York. It sets out a clear explanation of the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum. There are some quick tips at the top of the page and some next steps at the bottom. Click icon to see.new
The National autistic society offers more detailed guide.new
What a meltdown feels like
Fifteen people on the Autism Spectrum describe what a meltdown feels like. For example, It literally feels like my head is imploding. Building up to it gets overwhelming, but an actual meltdown is just like your brain is ceasing to exist.
Also, two autism mums have written in detail about how they experience their children’s meltdowns and what they think may be worth considering in order to help. See:
Positive behaviour
This help sheet from Options autism introduces an approach that aims to work with the grain of the individual’s nature, called Positive behavioural support. Instead of focusing on reactive consequences and sanctions to try and force change, perhaps a bit like the Wind, we try and ‘proactively’ create the conditions that allow individuals to change in a way that is meaningful for them, a bit like the Sun.
Click icon to view.
Tap button to download, then open in PDF viewer. 
OCD
Options have also produced a help sheet about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Autism. Click icon to view. See also our stimming page.
Click icon to view.
Tap button to download, then open in PDF viewer.
ODD
Verywell website has a very readable page of resources for parents of children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder that may look helpful. Click icon to browse. Also, the Good schools guide sets out the basic causes of ODD, practical tips and differences to similar conditions. See: article
Thanks ‘cool guy’
Here is a story by a father about a plane journey one which a fellow passenger realized his son has autism. Click icon to view.
Autism & the law
The National Autistic Society has produced a page to help you to help your child to stay safe and get the right support from the police.
Also, autistic people are more likely to be victims and witnesses of crime than offenders. If your child is a witness a crime, or are the victim of a crime, they might be interviewed by the police and go to court. Click icon to view this page.
Here is a detailed but readable article aiming to help the reader to understand better the relationship between Asperger’s syndrome & criminal behaviour. They touch on a few recommendations to improve things towards the end of the article:
- Identify the needs of the young person
- Identify triggers for behaviour that might get them into trouble
- Social stories may help young people to understand the issues
- Actions and reactions can be misunderstood by police etc.
An ID card could help to reduce misunderstanding. Canadda, based in Lincoln, can provide ID cards to young people in the Grantham area. See Neuro-diversity ID cards.
See also our Handy stuff page and look under the Awareness cards heading.
Mobile guide