Meltdown or Not?

[AlwaysWorrying32]

Hi everyone,

There's a bit of a history with my 3.5yr old, she is waiting to be assessed for SCD- she saw the developmental paediatrician in June last year, but as I'm sure you're all aware - these things take time.

She has a speech delay, approx 12 months delay. But she is improving everyday.

Anyway, to my question!

Lately she's started screaming when she's upset.

Today she was jumping on my back whilst I was lying on the sofa, she was about to slip off so I quickly moved my arm up and caught her so she didn't fall.

I asked if she was ok and then she just screamed in my face (a lot) told me she didn't love me anymore, and went to sit and scream on the floor.

I stayed silent (she gets angrier if I speak!) and waited. Eventually she started saying "mummy mummyyyy" so I went and picked her up and we had a cuddle for about 20 mins.

This is a relatively new thing (the screaming very loud) and I'm just wondering if this can be what a meltdown is like? And what I should do?

Inpatient bump :)

Impatient ...

Might be better posting this on the special needs forum rather than this one

@Rollingupahill I thought this was the right one.
When I search special needs under topics, nothing comes up?

Hi this is the sen topic it's unfortunately not always busy. Did you find an answer to your question? My ds is 7 he will sometimes scream in frustration but I would describe it as a reaction to being upset/angry rather than a meltdown which is an overwhelm. But screaming can be part of a meltdown too. If your child is standing and screaming but seem capable of stopping if they wanted and are in control of their limbs/senses I'd say it's a response. If they are on the floor or moving erratically/screaming/crying/throwing/hitting. Basically a loss of control. That is a meltdown.

It could well be a meltdown. It sounds like DD was very distressed by it.

This is the SEN board but there’s also the SN boards - SN Chat and SN Children are the busiest, but on all the SN and SEN boards you have to be patient as they are quieter, but the replies you do receive are generally more targeted than if you post on the main boards.

it took me a long time to recognise the difference between tantrums and meltdowns. Basically what I found was a tantrum is when they have been told they can’t have something/do something and giving them what they want will stop it. A meltdown can come out of no where for no apparent reason and even giving them something they like won’t stop it.

Thanks for the replies :)

I will try posting on those other boards suggested in future. I can see this one is pretty quiet!