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!!!!!!!!!!!

"was practically saying ""please come and be a dick and wilfully display your ignorance by giving me a good flaming" to some."

SOME posters

distinct lack of generalisation there.

Some unnecessarily harsh posts on here towards the op
I work in a SN school and we don't use the term meltdown but crisis, eg the child is in/having a crisis.

Hmmm. Started off thinking YABU, 'meltdown' is not a technical nor medically defined term. And I don't think it is, but after reading the full thread I can understand why you find it annoying - in the same way people dramatise their colds as 'flu' or their headaches as 'migraines' (although those ARE medically defined terms, so that's probably a confusing example to use... Ah, words! How they trip us up.)

Love that coco!

That is definitely a good descriptive alternative.

Saying ours implies that it is the property of SOME not ALL.

Interesting, because that's exactly what you are saying.

Meltdown "belongs" to us all, just because you want to use it, it doesn't invalidate its use for everyone else.

I'll leave now as it's Friday evening & life is calling!!!

The thing is OP (and I appreciate you've taken lots on board already but anyway ), nuclear reactors haven't gone away.

Saying "omg, his reaction was so extreme it was like that thing that happens to nuclear reactors!" still works perfectly well.

It's got to stop being used to mean "like a nuclear reactor" before it can start to be used to mean only "like an ASD reaction".

Only after that do you have any hope of it getting people to say it only when the reaction really is like an ASD reaction and not just a tantrum.

Nuclear reactors are your problem here, you know, not people.

No bother Iknow, thanks for taking the tone to reply and enjoy the rest of your Friday, it is the best day.

Indeed, breezy. That's it I'll take my fight to the fat cats!!

*time

Now my ds2 does have ASD and learning difficulties he doesn't have meltdowns ,meltdowns are as I understand uncontrollable the child is unaware of their surroundings and can't help their actions my son because of his development delays has toddler tantrums he's nearly five but delayed he usually has these when he can't get what he wants.

Just saw Dawn's comment.

Very different. Spaz is a vulgar term that is universally known to offend and cant be confused.

"Meltdown" can mean a lot and yes people without SN can feel as though they are having a meltdown.

So yes, l reiterate, get over yourself. You dont own the rights to this word yet.

Oh OP I do like you. You've got balls. You'll do well here.

My brother has two children with autism, both on very different ends of the spectrum. We refer to their moments of existential crisis. We are wankers though.

I think the language around ASD behaviours is ahead of the understanding in a lot of ways. It wouldn't matter if my brother called his dd's behaviour a meltdown, a tantrum or a total shitfuck. The world sometimes doesn't understand regardless of the language he uses to explain it and trying to get people to accept and acknowledge that my niece is completely unable to control her behaviour isn't going to change by language alone. The woman in the street last week who offered to smack her bottom didn't care how my brother explained what was happening. We just refused to engage with her.

I think all children have the capacity to meltdown. You can't stop the word being used across a broad range of behaviours and it's exhausting feeling miffed about it. I completely understand that it's bound up in a desire for people to stop and think about what they're actually witnessing but the battle extends beyond a simple word. As you obviously know.

Welcome. Stick around. Your gib is cut the right way. And stay out of AIBU. It's a ruddy minefield (not an actual minefield ).

It is NOT a medical term, you are being fucking ridiculous.

What boils my piss is people arguing about words like this, as if they matter. Most of us dealing with children with additional needs have bigger problems than screaming at people for using words they have every right to do.

I really like the term boils my piss wonder if I can claim this as my own too.

I really like the term boils my piss wonder if I can claim this as my own too.

Aww Maryz, I never see you around these here parts anymore. Have you got a life outside of Mumsnet? Tis Showy btw.

AIBU is a disgrace. It seriously challenges the whole reason behind having a supportive parenting forum. There's telling it straight and there's sticking the knife in.

My dd2 has meltdowns. Do I think they are the same as my friends ds who is autistic and has meltdowns? No I don't. But my friends know my dc do not have sen so understand what I am saying. You don't own a word and you don't know the battles other parents have.

No you bloody well can't use it shewept, I own all the words!

You can have "twisting my melon" or "ripping my knitting" but only on days that start with two consonants.

See I'll share some words, nah!

Some people need to chill their piss .

Don't mean OP

YABU. "Meltdown" has no medical definition.