What is the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum in autism?

A meltdown is a sensory or emotional overload where the child cannot control their reaction due to too many stimuli or emotional exhaustion, requiring time to recover. A tantrum is intentional behavior to obtain something where the child maintains control, has a specific objective, monitors reactions, and stops if it works, requiring different educational strategies.

What is a shutdown in autism?

A shutdown is withdrawal or closure where the child protects themselves by disconnecting. Observable signs include no response, empty eyes, being motionless or frozen, and having a need for absolute calm.

How does the traffic light warning system work for crisis management?

The warning system has 4 levels: Green zone (all's well, maintain this state), Yellow zone (vigilance, first signs, early intervention needed), Orange zone (rising voltage, climbing signs, immediate actions required), and Red zone (crisis, crisis behavior occurring, security measures needed).

What should you do during a crisis?

During a crisis, you should: stay calm and speak softly, reduce stimuli (light, noise), ensure physical safety, offer a quiet space, wait without pressing, and use visual aids.

What should you avoid doing during a crisis?

You should avoid: raising your voice or shouting, touching without warning, forcing eye contact, asking questions, punishing or threatening, and gathering an audience.

What should be considered during the recovery phase after a crisis?

After a crisis, consider the usual recovery time, what helps recovery, verify physical needs, and determine how to talk about what happened. Recovery should be approached with patience and understanding of the child's individual needs.

Crisis Management Plan | DYNSEO for Autism Support

🧠 Understanding the differences

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Meltdown

Sensory or emotional overload. The child cannot control his reaction.

Too many stimuli
Emotional exhaustion
Unintentional loss of control
Time to recover

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Shutdown

Withdrawal, closure. The child protects himself by disconnecting.

No answer
Empty eyes
Motionless, frozen
A need for absolute calm

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Tantrum

Intentional behavior to obtain something. The child maintains control.

Has a specific objective
Monitor reactions
Stops if it works
Different educational strategies

🚦 Warning system (traffic light)

LEVEL 1 🟢 Green zone - All's well

😊 Observable signs

💚 Maintain this state

LEVEL 2 🟡 Yellow zone - Vigilance

⚠️ First signs

🛠️ Early intervention

LEVEL 3 🟠 Orange zone - Rising voltage

🔺 Climbing signs

🚨 Immediate actions

LEVEL 4 🔴 Red zone - Crisis

💥 Crisis behavior

🛡️ Security

📋 During a crisis: To do / To avoid

🌈 After the crisis: Recovery

⏱️ Usual recovery time

💙 What helps recovery

🍎 Physical needs to be verified

💬 How to talk about it (later)

📞 Resource persons

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Crisis Management Plan