DS3 having meltdown in Airbnb

[newyearoldme]

Posting for some tips to help stay sane
DS3 and highly likely to be autistic is having a melt down in our Airbnb abroad. He's completely overwhelmed and tired and struggling to settle. We've unavoidably been away and will be returning home to normal routine tomorrow anyway. I've made him safe and he's lying on the floor trying to get under the bed at the moment. He making this awful whimpering howling wailing sound and won't let me anywhere near him or to touch him. He's been like this for about 45 mins. It's just me and him here away from home. I'm trying to stay as calm as I possibly can but tbh it's really scary. The Airbnb hosts are in the same building. What else should I be doing?

How is he now?

Can you turn out the lights or make a den for him, so there's less sensory input? When my ds is really stressed at home we have to remove all stimulation (turn off lights, no TV, no talking, no touching him) and sometimes a weighted blanket helps (or just heavy cushions).

With my ds you just kind of have to wait it out until he's calm enough to communicate again.

When my DS used to get really distressed I used to just hold him close to me.

If you can't get anywhere near him I would sit as close as you can to him and try talking or singing softly to him.

Hope all is ok now?

You can do it.