Before The Meltdown: Immediate Action Plan

Host: Kate McCommons, OT and Business Coach

Main Topics Covered:

• Why It’s Too Late at Meltdown:
  Meltdowns are signals of nervous system overload, not misbehavior. The brain’s frontal lobe turns off under stress, making learning and regulation nearly impossible during these moments.
• Understanding the Nervous System Buckets:
  • Sensory Bucket: Input from environment (sounds, sights, touch, movement)
  • Autonomy Bucket: Feeling in control, completing tasks, and making choices
• Overflows in these buckets lead to meltdowns. The goal is to keep both “just right” to maintain regulation.
• Prevention Strategies:
  • Create Expectancy: Use routines, clear plans, and visual cues to help children feel safe and in control.
  • Use Declarative Language: Tell children what you are going to do rather than coax or demand.
  • Visual Supports & Labeling: Photos and labels on drawers or tasks can reduce frustration and aid task completion.
  • Closed-Ended Success Tasks: Short, clear activities with a defined start and end to build confidence and prepare the nervous system for transitions.
  • Model Flexibility: Demonstrate how to handle changes or plans not going as expected to normalize the experience.
• Environmental Considerations:
  Understand your child's sensory profile. Some children thrive in noisy environments; others need calm to focus. Aim to tailor the environment to your child's unique sensory needs. Consult an OT for a sensory profile assessment.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Meltdowns are communication, not misbehavior.
  • Prevention is proactive—address the buckets long before overload occurs.
  • Building safety, predictability, and autonomy helps children regulate better.

Final Encouragement:
Parents and therapists are not behind if meltdowns happen. They are part of communication and processing. By combining sensory and task-based strategies, you can support your child's regulation journey.

Join Next Week:
A parent-led approach to self-regulation for caregivers to better support themselves and their children.

Thank you for listening!
Remember, you are a wonderful parent and therapist. We’re all in this together. Have a fantastic day!

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