Meltdowns are not misbehaviour — they’re communication from an overwhelmed nervous system. In this episode, I walk you through what’s really happening beneath autistic meltdowns and how connection, not control, becomes the foundation for calming your child.

You’ll learn why meltdowns are a sign of overload, not defiance, and how your own nervous system plays a critical role in helping your child return to safety. I’ll take you inside what’s happening in your child’s brain during dysregulation and share six gentle, practical shifts that reduce stress and support co-regulation.

✨ In this episode:

• What’s actually happening in your child’s brain during a meltdown
• How your own regulation helps calm their nervous system
• Six connection-first strategies that genuinely support your child
• How to reduce overwhelm in daily routines and transitions
• Why slowing down and connecting first works better than any script

If you’ve been trying traditional Autism strategies and feeling like nothing is helping, this episode will give you compassionate, grounded tools you can start using today to support your Autistic or PDA child through meltdowns more effectively.

Text me and tell me- What do you want to hear for future episodes?

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If you’re parenting an Autistic or PDA child and want support that actually works, you’ll find more tools and free resources at chantalhewitt.com.

✨ Join The Attuned Parenting Community for Parents Raising Autistic / PDA Children

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✨ Download my free guides

Early Signs Guide → CLICK HERE
Calm Parent Checklist → CLICK HERE
PDA Parenting Guide → CLICK HERE

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Reach out if you need anything- Say hello, share your story :) → hello@chantalhewitt.com

Chantal x