A meltdown is an intense, involuntary response to overwhelming stress or sensory input. It is not a choice, tantrum, or form of bad behavior. During a meltdown, a person may cry, yell, pace, engage in repetitive behaviors (often called stimming), or temporarily struggle to process language.
Meltdowns serve as the body’s emergency signal, and support during these times should involve reducing demands, lowering sensory input, and providing a calm, non-judgmental presence.
A Brief History
The term meltdown originated from the autistic community and caregivers who wanted to describe acute feelings of overwhelm, distinguishing them from tantrums. Advocacy and research have increasingly highlighted environmental causes – such as noise, bright lights, social pressure, changes in routine, and prolonged masking of behaviours – and the importance of supportive responses rather than punishment or shame.