What are autistic meltdowns?

If you've heard the term "autistic meltdown," but don't know what it means and would like to... this video is for you.
I think most people hear the word "meltdown" and think about a person kicking, screaming, and thrashing around... usually a child.
But adults can, and do, have meltdowns too... they just look different.
Before I get into what autistic meltdowns can look like... especially when we have gotten decently good at internalizing them so we don't look "crazy" to those around us... I want to explain a few things about when and why they happen...
First... they are usually the result of an autistic person not getting their needs met in some way. So, the result of unexpected plan changes... sensory overload... something not going the way we needed it to go... are a few examples.
When these triggers happen, the autistic person will often have a fight, flight, or freeze response, which causes some type of behavioral reaction.
Now, I want to stress that these behavioral reactions are *the result of extreme and overwhelming distress*...
They are NOT a manipulation tactic.
They are NOT attention seeking.
And they are NOT within a person's control.
Now, let's talk about how they can look.
For me, my internal experience usually includes me hyperventalating, having heart palpitations, wanting to cry (but usually holding it in if I'm around other people)... having a much lower tolerance for sensory inputs, not being able to think about anything but the trigger, and usually a desperate and frantic need to remove it.
But outwardly, my meltdowns can look like impatience, frustration, irritation, irrationality, retreat...
I know that these typew of behaviors can make us appear at fault or weak for not being able to manage our emotions... but when autistic meltdowns happen, they are the direct result of unmet needs related to autistic brain wiring... and, again... not within a person's control.
If you're autistic, I'd love to know if this resonates with you. Let me know in the comments.
And follow for more content about autism and brain wiring differences.

[@GrattTheGreat]

Having an autistic meltdown right now. Any advice? My mom wants to take me to the doctor to get me put down whatever that means.

[@sensorystoriesbynicole]

Wow. I'm so sorry. That's awful. Do you have anyone or anywhere safe you can go to?