To want to scream in the face of those who say "he/she had a MELTDOWN"

[Skeeter3]

Just no, ok!?

The frequent current misconception that even a big tantrum is in any way comparable to an actual meltdown REALLY boils my piss!!!!!

Yes tantrums can be unpleasant and distressing for all parties BUT they're still not meltdowns.

It demeans those that are dealing with medically defined meltdowns.

The more the word is used to describe a normal childhood tantrum, the less people understand or are tolerant when a child does suffer a meltdown.

If you're guilty of this JUST STOP DOING IT!!!!!!!!!!!

For the millionth time Fanjo, meltdown is NOT a medical definition for an ASD behaviour.

A meltdown is just different from a tantrum. My DD has both.

No your DD doesn't have tantrums. Only NT children have tantrums.

Geddit?

Type the words "autistic meltdown" into Google and be educated.

I haven't even said if I agree with OP or not. Just object to the way people are being arsey to OP.

Yes my DD indeed has tantrums.

I doubt many NT kids have meltdowns. They might have extremely severe tantrums. If they are having actual meltdowns or crises on a regular basis I'd be asking for a referral to check them out tbh.

All this taking offence is really unnecessary.

Huh, saucy? I've not a single clue what you're talking about.

As has already been said the irritation I have is when the term meltdown is used to describe ANY child who is having a want or need driven tantrum.

A tantrum can be difficult and distressing for all involved and IMO opinion should be treated with kindness and respect for the child's emotions.

What I would like is for there to be a distinct difference recognised between ANY child having a tantrum and ANY child having a meltdown.

I used the phrase autistic meltdown. I wasn't recommending it. It just came up in passing. My son is HF ASD and our life is currently manageable and I'd hate to think I was suggesting I was the oracle!

BTW I'm really liking the phrase total shitfuck as a description. My son is 11 and it might make him laugh. After he's calmed down .

I'm also tempted by boils my piss but not the bullying context it was used in!

OP, you've really twisted some melons here.

I am a child psychiatrist and I have to say I don't use the term 'meltdown' as being exclusively for those with ASD.

Yes. We are talking about different things here.

Not some hierarchy of how challenging your child can be.

They are just. Different.

I used to work in a residential school for children with ASD and challenging behaviour Fanjo.

I'm quite confident in my ability to tell the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum already, ta.

I've agreed with your second point from the start tbf Skeeter.

Exactly fanjo. It's the difference that matters to me.

Personally I would appreciate that when I say miniskeet had a meltdown for it not to be met with an "aww, terrible two's". Nope, see the chip missing from her tooth because she smashed her face on the dining table that's our meltdown.

I get that it's relative to people experience and perceptions, but I do feel that meltdown is used too easily and readily for typical age appropriate challenging behaviour.

Ultimately though I do concede that I am bu to expect people to change their vernacular.

Geez..... Don't have a meltdown OP!

She has presented a rational argument and conceded that her original post wasn't the best approach....what the hell more do people want from her?

Skeeter I totally understand. I have dealt with truly epic tantrums from DD2, she could win a bloody oscar I'm sure! :)

I have also dealt with "meltdowns" from ASD DD1. The 2 are totally different.

I think the lack of suitable terminology to differentiate between the 2 is unfortunate.

I suspect alot of the undeservedly rude replies you have had our from posters who are lucky enough to only deal with tantrums.

If I could work out how to add flowers I would do for you, but I can't, sorry!

Do try not to be a complete dick, LittleMiss.

are not our! its been a long day....

Kipper

[ fllowers] only don't leave any spaces

Yabu

Ah, a ray of hope and sunshine it would seem.

It used to annoy me too OP, to me there was and is a huge difference.
But you can't ban a word that's in common use and isn't disabilist, too may parents think their child's tantrums are meltdowns because they've never exerienced the real thing.
For them a bad tantrum is the worst they've ever experienced. Not the complete lack of sentience, the superstrength and the huge danger involved in a violent meltdown. Or the paralysing and completely incapacitation of a meltdown that leave the child unable to think or move.

Just like they're starving or depressed, traumatised.
I just think 'You think that's a meltdown? Really?'
Think, not say. because they're lucky not to know the reality.