Deborah Lipsky – Autism Spectrum Meltdowns: Effective Interventions for Sensory, Executive Function and Social-Emotional Communication

• What causes the unusually strong reactions of a meltdown?
• Can you see it coming?
• Is it a meltdown or a tantrum?
• Is it willful, manipulative behavior?
• Is ‘Fight or Flight’ the only option?

Individuals on the autism spectrum often react very strongly to seemingly minor changes in routine, patterns, food, clothing, noise, and a host of other environmental factors. Understanding and recognizing personal triggers will be a major benefit in developing a plan for yourself or individuals you work with to lower the levels of anxiety and avoid a catastrophic reaction.

Deborah Lipsky, M.Ed., presents a rare and unique perspective from someone who lives with autism every day. Through a combination of personal experiences with professional knowledge she will offer you a rare glimpse into the neurological processing differences of an individual with autism and explain the physical and mental processes of a meltdown. You will participate in interactive exercises where you are “autistic” for a moment to gain a greater appreciation of the challenges individuals with autism face. You will learn how to recognize the differences between a meltdown and a behavioral tantrum and what can trigger a meltdown. You will walk away with effective intervention strategies to use before, during, and after a meltdown.

1. Design a sensory conducive friendly environment for an individual on the autism spectrum to improve their level of functioning.
2. Articulate the impact of communication dysfunction on learning, behavior and social interactions in clients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
3. Describe the neurological and physiological processes of meltdowns in a person diagnosed with autism and utilize this information when selecting a treatment intervention.
4. Utilize clinical strategies to de-escalate a meltdown based on sensory, anxiety, communication or executive function triggers.
5. Differentiate between a meltdown and a behavioral tantrum in clients with autism and apply appropriate clinical strategies to de-escalate the situation.
6. Design and implement an individualized intervention/crisis plan for your clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Neurological and Physiological Differences of Autism

• Sensory and Visual Environments
  • Sensory evaluation: Asking the right questions
  • Large motor skills, fine motor skills, eating, hearing, smell, touch
  • Creating a sensory friendly environment
  • Impact of sensory dysfunction on learning, behavior and social interaction
• Executive Function (EF)
  • Impact of EF on daily life
  • EF manifestations seen in meltdowns
  • Strategies to limit consequences of EF
• Social/Emotional Communication
  • Common pitfalls in communicating with individuals with autism
  • Communication differences with autism
  • Impact on learning, behavior and social interaction
  • Strategies to help facilitate communication

Anxiety to Meltdown

• Recognizing the triggers
• What does a meltdown look like?
• What a person with autism experiences during a meltdown
• Common behaviors seen in meltdowns
• Meltdown or tantrum?

Effective Behavioral Interventions Based on the S.C.A.R.E.D. Model

• Behavior as a form of communication
• Inappropriate interventions … What never to do
• Appropriate strategies to de-escalate the situation
• Intervention in the school system
• Creating a personalized intervention/crisis plan