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Parenting

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Original poster

5 year old with ASD - extreme panic attacks?

10 replies

Chris2315 · 15/08/2021 17:55

I have a 5 year old son with ASD and he's always suffered from anxiety - he's constantly overthinking and worries about everything. He's been doing really well though up until he finished his first year of school in July, since then has really struggling with what seems like panic attacks but may just be autistic meltdowns.

As an example, we took him to a nearby fairground with arcades today (he told us he wanted to) and he was having a great time for an hour or so. Then, completely randomly, he said to me 'i want to go home, I want to run' and started to try to run outside, I quickly went out with him to go back to the car nearby, and at this point he was screaming and crying his eyes trying to run away (not even towards the car). I had to pretty much drag him screaming to the car, and even in the car he did not settle at all for 10-15 minutes. After that...it was like it never happened! In the arcade there was absolutely nothing to trigger this - no loud noises (not that these bothers him anyway), and he didn't know the time to worry it was late etc.

Thats just one example, but it's literally like a switch goes off on his head - he also seems to hyperventilate at times when he's having one of these moments, and can barely speak due to it and how upset he is. There is never a single thing we can do to settle him! He has a 2 year old brother who is getting more and more scared of him when he has these moments, and it's so upsetting to see.

Do these seem like panic attacks? Has anyone got a child with ASD having similar issues? Any advice at all would be appreciated!

We've spoken to a specialist health visitor who is refering him to psychology, but it is getting worse quickly - he's having his moments at least daily now, even on days we stay in. She did mention the psychologist could prescribe medication but I'm just worried about how were going to manage til then

OP posts:

CaptainCarp · 15/08/2021 17:59

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly.

Can he explain what has upset him / caused him to want to run once he's calmed down?

Original poster

Chris2315 · 15/08/2021 18:13

@CaptainCarp

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly.

Can he explain what has upset him / caused him to want to run once he's calmed down?

Hi :) when it happens when he's out he will tell us it was because it was late - weather it was 12pm or 3pm!

OP posts:

persephone19 · 15/08/2021 18:17

These sound like autistic meltdowns to me. Who knows what the stimulus is. Maybe you'll never know. Maybe your son doesn't even know. The trick for me is to identify early warning signs of agitation. (My son tends to vocalise and repeat himself eg saying 'I don't know' over and over again, and paces around, before he gets to the meltdown or shutdown or run away stage. He's 13 now and it still takes us by surprise sometimes.)

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BrownEyedSquirrel · 15/08/2021 18:17

When he says "late" does he maybe mean that he is tired?
No experience from me but I'm just wondering he feels tired and panics?

Original poster

Chris2315 · 15/08/2021 18:36

@persephone19

Thanks for that, it's really odd because the trigger really seems to be in his head - I.e worrying it's too late even if he doesn't know the time, and literally 5-10 seconds before I didn't notice any difference in him :/

OP posts:

romdowa · 15/08/2021 18:37

Definitely sounds like a meltdown. He is probably getting overwhelmed and can't process the feelings and it's leading to a melt down. Sometimes when people with asd are melting down its best to ensure they are in a safe place and then to just let them get it out. People trying to talk to them or calm then down can continue the feeling of being overwhelmed and prolong the meltdown.

CaptainCarp · 15/08/2021 20:50

As BrownEyedSquirrel says is it possible when he says late he means he's getting tired / you've been there a while.

Maybe he panics because he's getting overwhelmed and needs to get to a safe space?
Have you tried timing how long you've been at different places before the attack /meltdown occurs.

Original poster

Chris2315 · 15/08/2021 22:35

Thank you everyone :) we'll definitely try moving him to somewhere safe and quiet although it can be difficult as even in the car he'll climb over seats to try open doors etc.

Just to mention as well we had a similar experience when we went to a nearby zoo last week and as soon as we arrived he started getting visibility upset and worried, and then started screaming at us to drive back. After an hour waiting he went in there and ended up having lots of fun!

It's really odd as it seems so random and hits us without any warning - just a month or two ago we want to a theme park and he was absolutely fine

OP posts:

Allthenumbers · 16/08/2021 16:02

I imagine he’s struggling with a lack/change in routine due to the summer holidays? Or can you pinpoint any other stressor?

Even if he wanted to go to a funfair that is a lot to cope with I imagine - new place, busy, all the sensory input. My daughter (4, autistic) loves soft play and we go as early as possible to the same one, but she still finds it draining. Do you know the spoons as energy analogy?

My daughter would not be able to explain that there was too many people, too noisy, change in routine etc but she’d probably say something cryptic like “we’re late” to indicate she was stressed as I’d say it when I’m stressed!

Anyway I’d focus on removing stress. Maybe using more visuals especially to prep for a new place, any calming activities he enjoys etc

tiredanddangerous · 16/08/2021 16:40

They sound like meltdowns op.

Do you prepare him in advance when you're going somewhere? For example do you go on the website for the zoo, look at the map, see what animals are there, look at photos etc? That stuff is essential for my autistic dd.

Does he have noise cancelling headphones? A comfort toy/blanket that helps calm him?

As he gets older he will hopefully learn when he has had enough and will be able to tell you that he needs to leave before he reaches complete overwhelm. He may also develops strategies to help him cope more effectively.

When we go to the zoo or anywhere else really we get there for when it opens and accept that we'll only manage a couple of hours.

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