Autistic Meltdowns in Relationships: A 3-Step Strategy for Getting Your Needs Met

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
  • Do you struggle to communicate your needs to your partner? Is it difficult to identify your needs in the first place? Do you feel unsupported in your current relationship due to communication and processing differences? This video offers a simple 3-step process for learning how to get your needs met in your relationship as an autistic adult, especially when it comes to navigating meltdowns.
    Step 1️⃣: Learn as much as you can about autistic meltdowns. (See resource: Meltdown Survival Guide www.momonthesp...)
    Step 2️⃣: Identify your patterns. (See resource: Plan Cope Recover Protocol www.momonthesp...)
    Step 3️⃣: Communicate your patterns to your partner when you are in a well-regulated state.
    For more resources that support life as an autistic adult, visit www.momonthesp...
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ความคิดเห็น • 97

  • @aka.roryyy
    @aka.roryyy ปีที่แล้ว +25

    when i can't find words & i start using short phrases like "i can't... i just... i don't... urgh!" i see that as like a precursor to meltdown. i have had full-blown, curled up, literally unable to speak, sobbing meltdowns very rarely & i qualified those as a 'proper' meltdown. i guess i don't realise that less intense experiences can also be a meltdown, like needing to just be in child's pose in the dark with my headphones. so that explains a lot. 👍🏻

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yessss this is such a great thing to share. Less intense experiences can definitely point to a meltdown and it's so so important to become aware of our patterns that look like this! Thanks for sharing

    • @Danni-hd8zh
      @Danni-hd8zh ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yeah wow never considered that. My poor kids I get short with words like that. I've always felt it's as I'm at capacity in my head to much on my mind/noise in my head / anxious over something on the way to.
      Hadn't reflected like this or considered it could be a meltdown of sorts

  • @BachBeethovenBerg
    @BachBeethovenBerg ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Communicating needs is virtually impossible if you don’t understand your own needs to begin with. That’s the first half of the battle

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Absolutely. Mindfulness practices have been key for me - slowing down enough to actually listen to what my body is saying to me, and honoring those needs instead of nit-picking them away.

    • @BachBeethovenBerg
      @BachBeethovenBerg ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@MomontheSpectrum living a slower paced life is so important. Our society is very fast paced unfortunately

    • @samanthasunshine8085
      @samanthasunshine8085 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yes! I'm so baffled by people who understand themselves enough to communicate that clearly to someone else. I always end up doing it in such a hurtful way because I've reached the point of physical and mental discomfort seemingly out of nowhere and need to fix it right away!

  • @sueannevangalen5186
    @sueannevangalen5186 ปีที่แล้ว +102

    That's worth thinking about: uncontrollable crying is a type of meltdown I've experienced before but only very rarely. Sudden angry outbursts are more common but even more common than that is going nonverbal. I didn't think of that as a meltdown before.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Sudden angry outbursts are important to talk about too! I realize when I'm EASILY upset and react quickly it's a pretty good sign I'm headed towards a meltdown.

    • @nryane
      @nryane ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I have suspected that my anger in the past has been a “meltdown” for me.
      My two major relationships might have withstood my meltdowns had I known I was autistic and had sensory needs.
      My “silent treatments” - not speaking to others in times of stress - were my attempts to regulate myself!
      SO MUCH to take in, after decades of not knowing!
      Thank you for your perspective, Taylor. ❤

    • @leakrr
      @leakrr ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I had that 2 months ago and I ddin't know what's happening. This could be an explanation

    • @srldwg
      @srldwg ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Non verbal to me is shutdown.
      To me meltdowns are externally displayed (I am a year into discovering that I am autistic, and am still learning about myself specifically concerning my autism, and am also working on be more flexible to other autistic individuals overall imput.- obviously very difficult, being that inflexibility is a very strong trait in me😅)
      My meltdowns are intense. I grunt, scream (involuntary), fall to the floor, cry, panic (displayed to a "dramatic" degree), rock, pull my hair, bang my head against the wall hard, throw things (never at anyone, anymore - haven't for years), back away in extreme distress (with a wince and a loud whine) if someone try's to approach me, etc.
      I have had involuntary screaming (embarrassingly, as an adult) on airplanes, either proceeded by or followed by grunting, heavy, panicked breathing, etc.)
      I felt like a "freak" ( It was 20 plus years ago - I am now 47 - and I had no idea that I was autistic, and that I was having meltdowns.) So scary not knowing what was happening to me.
      No walk in the park now (although better, knowing what is going to and has happened ), but they are so awful.😔

    • @thekawaiiginger7840
      @thekawaiiginger7840 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I’ve always been bad at regulating my emotions, and crying is the biggest form of my meltdowns or it’s shutting down and not talking for hours

  • @Azzi0921
    @Azzi0921 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Your 3rd step was repeatedly ignored by my ex-partner (6yrs together) until i caught her cheating & moving out in February 2020.💔 My breakdown in tears lasted months. I never knew i could cry so much. It was like Noah's Ark flood, uncontrollable in everything i was doing & everyday. I know this ain't funny but my tears could have Globally washed Covid-19 away.😢
    Reflecting on my past relationships, revealed my patterns and made things so clear to me. BTW, loving the Manta Sleep mask. It's my NEW partner that Truly understands me.💍🤣🤣🤣 I will send you our wedding invitation and you'll be my Best Woman.😉🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @Rmita7
    @Rmita7 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I feel like I've had the realization of "I need to understand MY needs and verbalize them somehow" and went through it without labeling it autistic. and now I'm trying to decide if getting a diagnosis will affect my life or it's not necessary anymore. (will be in 3 weeks with yet another meltdown disappointed in myself that I don't wanna be a functioning human in the society for a while. nice to meet y'all. I feel settled a bit.

  • @Argeaux2
    @Argeaux2 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Oh wow meltdowns have been tricky for us. Glad you are covering them

  • @jotazombieart
    @jotazombieart ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Thanks for this video. I'm kind of on a path of self-understanding and trying to educate myself as much as possible about autism and neurodiversities before seeking a diagnosis. Only recently was I able to start talking to my partner (who I've been with for many years) about how I experience things and the things that I still can't fully explain. In that first talk it was really super hard to try to express myself in the best way (or at least in an understandable way) and contain the tsunami of emotions. In many of your videos, like this one in particular, I feel very identified and they help me to better understand all this. Thank you.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว

      You're very welcome. I like how you described the "tsunami of emotions." I think many of us can relate to that term, and for me, it can be very difficult to identify the different emotions in that tsunami. And sometimes they change back and forth before I can identify them.

  • @Moocow8886
    @Moocow8886 ปีที่แล้ว

    This! I grew up with conservative parents who when my teachers said there was "something going on with me" as a kid they were like no she's smart so she's fine. So I went undiagnosed for a long time. I feel so grateful for the internet creators like you that helped me realize over the last 10 years what was going on and I can learn how to navigate this more effectively in relationships. Thank you so much for sharing ❤

  • @spotterofgold
    @spotterofgold ปีที่แล้ว

    That's the missing puzzle piece I have been wanting for years. Thanks, Taylor!

  • @BrideofJesuChristo2
    @BrideofJesuChristo2 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have work trauma at my past job when they changed the rules a lot and it causes me to lash out with tone without meaning to

  • @TCC2320
    @TCC2320 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My oldest started elementary school and he’s been struggling with the adjustment (he’s on the spectrum as am I) and it’s so much more added to my plate that’s it’s been rough

  • @suspicious-gnome
    @suspicious-gnome ปีที่แล้ว

    I am LOVING your videos!!! Thank you so much for all this clarity and information that resonates with me 100 percent! I have been actively self-diagnosing for years. When I discovered dr. Elaine Aaron's work on a czeskis I was so relieved and thankful to have some sort of validation and understanding about myself. Now this info is really helping to flesh it all out!!! YAY!! It's actually really empowering !✨🖤✨

  • @theoneandonly1158
    @theoneandonly1158 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Literally hiding upstairs because my husband is a complete asshole. My meltdowns are few and far between but today in particular. He's been a POS and he thinks hes being funny. Hes being serious, i know he is. I know because he says thatim making it a big deal. Right, when what he said , as a joke, would insult ANY women on the face of this earth.

  • @gabrieladasilva8061
    @gabrieladasilva8061 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hello Taylor. Have you ever discussed giving birth while autistic in one of your videos? As there isn't much content about it on TH-cam, I think it would make a fantastic video.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks I’ve had the topic suggestion before. It’s on my list to consider but it has been 7 years since I’ve been pregnant so the memories aren’t super sharp!

  • @CartoonDaily1
    @CartoonDaily1 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for the video! Also, where did you get the video thumbnail art or did you draw it yourself?

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You're welcome! And I use Canva for all of my designs. It's a program that has a lot of different visuals that I incorporate.

  • @GothicBookLover
    @GothicBookLover ปีที่แล้ว +45

    Maybe because I was given the autistic label when I was 3 or 4, but I was always taught to control my emotions and recognize when a meltdown was incoming. I would do pockets, 3 deep breaths, taking a walk by myself, and also saying that I needed to be alone in order to calm down and relax. I was thankful my parents understood this and didn't hold it against me.
    In friendship and romantic relationships, I was always raised that compromise by both people in the relationship is key... and I learned to say to my friend or partner that I needed some alone time in order to relax and unwind.. and they learned not to take it personally. It's all about give and take from both people whether you're an NT or an ND.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      So glad you were able to incorporate these things for yourself from a young age! Thanks for sharing.

  • @texasmurphy7088
    @texasmurphy7088 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    I've just been diagnosed and I'm 45 years old. I'm slowly learning that a lot of things I have never been able to explain make perfect sense in light of being autistic - particularly irritability and meltdowns. I ask myself the same questions and cannot understand why I get so angry so quickly. I logically know there's no reason to be so upset over something as menial as not being able to order non-sweetened tea, but once I'm worked up it is impossible for me to be rational. I haven't been in a relationship in a very long time because I've always been too weird, so I isolate all the time. I've been doing it for so long now I don't know how to socialize or make friends. Not that I ever really did...

  • @whitneymason406
    @whitneymason406 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    I have a very clear memory of when I was having a meltdown, I shouted, "Don't touch me!" My mom said as a baby I didn't like to be held and it was difficult to soothe me. Having the vocabulary to describe this experience has helped me be so much more self compassionate. I feel like I process and get to the other side of meltdowns faster knowing I'm autistic. Great topic! ❤

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Good point about being able to get to the other side of it faster. I feel the same way. And I also feel less like I was hit by something out of nowhere... I'm learning how to see it coming a little bit earlier which helps me feel more grounded and less frantic.

  • @MysteryGrey
    @MysteryGrey 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    I'm glad I'm tough and strong. Not knowing that I'm an autist until recently, you know what? I've really been treated like crap, people are mean. I've had people dump me because my social awkwardness embarrasses them somehow, I've been severely taken advantage of over the years like they wanted to steal my soul. I've been scapegoated, cast out from my family because they don't know that I'm autistic even though they're older siblings, they just thought I was(am) a brat. I want people to like me somewhat, I just keep saying "the wrong things"...people's ego's are so fragile.

  • @lerascurls
    @lerascurls 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    I think both me and my partner are on the spectrum so sometimes we both have meltdowns at the same time or we trigger each other, and it’s really difficult.

  • @TheWilliamHoganExperience
    @TheWilliamHoganExperience ปีที่แล้ว +14

    It's important to remember that meltdowns are not tantrums. Tantrums are deliberate and manipulative - like a child (or adult) screaming and behaving badly because they cant have icecream or something.
    Meltdowns are involuntary emotional breakdowns. They happen when social demands and/or sensory burdens exceed your ability cope with them. Everyone has a breaking point. Autism lowers the overload threshold greatly by making us vulnerable to things most people automatically ignore or screen out or can process easily. Things like background noise, harsh lights, colors, smells, heat, cold, tastes and so on. These sensitivities should be considered fragile gifts that require care. Our sensitivities are not necessarily disorders.
    My extreme sensitivity to sound enables me to make music. People tell me I'm good, but all I hear are my mistakes.
    It also makes sirens a form of torture. Too much bad sound, and I'll meltdown. So I wear noise cancelling earbuds at Home Depot now.

    • @theoneandonly1158
      @theoneandonly1158 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      💯 I wear them around the house.

    • @kingseyes3717
      @kingseyes3717 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I appreciate your description of a meltdown as “an involuntary emotional breakdown”. I’m still recovering from a horrible one 2 days ago. Too much hit me at one time that I had absolutely no control over. Then I went to my favorite sub shop hoping to treat myself and the music in there was SO LOUD I couldn’t hear what the employee was saying which pushed me beyond horrible. It feels like I’m taken over by a dragon and want to explode, throw things etc without knowing a safe way to release the energy. I only just realized that these are autistic meltdowns. I’ve always felt shame and guilt when they happen as it comes out as rage and was raised to believe anger was not ok.😢While I figured out a couple years ago that I’m on the spectrum and and so much of my past makes sense,I’m only now realizing that these bad episodes I’ve had over my life have been extreme autistic meltdowns. Now I know what they are, and can perhaps not be so hard on myself when they happen, fortunately those bad ones are usually no more than twice a year. But now, I feel like there’s a dragon in me that can rear it’s ugly head suddenly and unexpectedly and that scares me. Gonna do more reading about meltdowns. So very glad for Taylor,this channel and group!

  • @tashinaroberts8929
    @tashinaroberts8929 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    im still waiting to be evaluated this fall, but after almost a year of research im pretty confident im autistic and that i have meltdowns. or, at least, i have moments where im so overwhelmed i cry uncontrollably and it is physically hard for me to speak both during and after the process.
    my partner told me once that it hurt him and makes him feel ignored when i dont speak to him, as he's such a huge advocate for communication. when he told me that, it made me cry even more because i was so hurt knowing that he was thinking i was shutting him out intentionally.
    it took a while and a bit of explaining later on that day, but im glad he came around to understand what this experience might feel like for me. now we have strategies to help me when i get like that and im grateful that he continues to be really patient and supportive.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I'm glad you were able to share more with him and that you two are coming to a better place of understanding. Thanks for sharing your experience!

    • @tashinaroberts8929
      @tashinaroberts8929 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      thank you, love the content you put out for us 💕💕

  • @pipwhitefeather5768
    @pipwhitefeather5768 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I now know I shutdown and lose my capacity to explain, when overwhelmed by situations or people, but usually only when I reach the tired or hungry or cold limit, or emotionally relating and communicating limit I guess too. Wow my awareness of my self and my ways has exploded like a volcano this year, 52 and finally getting some understanding.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Self awareness has radically improved my quality of life, and it's never too late to develop more of it! Thanks for your comment.

    • @EarthLady22
      @EarthLady22 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It's kinda like feeling in a safe place all of a sudden, when the understanding sets in. I'm 53, and learning lots about why I just never fit in the puzzle 🧩
      So glad you are exploding like a volcano with understanding!
      I like that thought 😊

  • @with_compassion
    @with_compassion ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I appreciate the ongoing reflection, learning, and wisdom in this area of ASD and partnership; I'm hoping you'll continue doing these relationship/partnership discussions, and also do these for couples that are both neurodiverse whether realized/misdiagnosed/late diagnosed/etc.
    Thank you! Finished watching, good tips!

  • @marisa5359
    @marisa5359 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Most of my meltdown is an internal process. There is often lack of words. If I am around others, I have to escape. I have to get completely by myself like you were saying. This is some good advice. Thank you.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You're welcome. I really relate to your meltdown being an internal process. That's a good way to describe it. If other people could see everything happening internally during one of my meltdowns I think they'd be shocked.

    • @marisa5359
      @marisa5359 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@MomontheSpectrum yes, exactly!

  • @Brittwhales
    @Brittwhales ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I recently was tested and denied a diagnosis, though I still believe I have had a “higher functioning” autism forever. I got a 71 on the GARS-3 and a 6 on the ADOS-2. I also have the SLC6A4 gene mutation/ deletion and I had both meningitis and early traumatic events. Most of the time, other people tell me I communicate well… I really try, but most of the time I feel that I forget my words and go blank (even on the IQ TEST 😞 and most of the time I can really excel!). If I go to the doctors and haven’t written a bulleted list, I’m lost. It’s so frustrated that people think I’m communicating well, but I am truly struggling! I usually just do everything for myself unless I absolutely can’t. One thing that triggers me is that my partner has a very “loud” attention- seeking personality, and I tend to hide from attention. It really upsets me in ways people can’t understand!

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I totally hear you! I can relate to being with someone who has a "loud" personality. It's a tough mix especially for someone who tends to mask a lot (me). And YES I ALWAYS have a bulleted list for doctors' visits. AND I just made one to take to the mechanic this week. I actually wrote up a page over how I wanted him to help me!! 😹

  • @SoapTism
    @SoapTism ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I’m recently self diagnosed and about to get a test for it very soon, and if rn I’m at the point where I don’t know how to help myself. I’ve been struggling for a very long time and I’ve hit the point where I can’t do anything. I can’t feed myself or even go to the bathroom because of what I thought was really bad depression and anxiety and terrible trauma from my entire life is actually autism. And now I’m confused and scared

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I understand that that is a scary place to be. Please honor your body and give it as much rest as you can give it. Listen to your intuition and do things that feel good to you, if anything comes to mind (I know sometimes with depression it's hard to think of anything that sounds good). Spend some time in nature or with your pets if you have any. You are deserving of a lovely life and I believe it is on its way to you. Hang in there - you are not alone.

  • @amandamandamands
    @amandamandamands ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I don't go non verbal, my speech regresses to speaking like a toddler though. Sometimes it is just the way that I pronounce words, if it is worse I also will use the same sentence structure.
    Most often I get angry and lash out. One time I had a direct correlation that I had doof doof noise outside my garage (car stuck in traffic) just as I was getting ready to go out and suddenly I was crying that different sounds get to me.

  • @michelleansbach5801
    @michelleansbach5801 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you for your videos! They have helped me so much! Do you have any videos about 2 spouses on the spectrum but one being in denial or unaware? I'm not finding any but could be putting in incorrect search criteria.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว

      oh this is a great question! I don't have any videos on this right now, but my FAVORITE resource on neurodivergent relationships is Maxine Aston. She has several books about being in a relationship with someone on the spectrum that I think you might find helpful. You can find her books on amazon, and maybe a bit larger selection on her website. I think she also has some journal articles on her website. Hope this is helpful!

  • @staceyruwoldt9158
    @staceyruwoldt9158 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Crying uncontrollably is my natural default setting during a meltdown 😘 They always seem to manifest that way because, I'm not a emotional person in general everyday life, said with love and..
    Kindness 💗 So for myself when I'm not having a Autistic meltdown crying doesn't seem to happen organically for that reason

  • @logicalameetsworld
    @logicalameetsworld ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My need for space was very tough for my wife to get because she's someone who hugs and consoles people when they're upset about something. I can tell you though no one has been as supportive in my journey as she has.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      So glad to hear about the support. It can be difficult when we express our love languages differently.

  • @kensears5099
    @kensears5099 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Meltdown doesn't happen to me often, thankfully, but when it does it's horrible. If anybody reading this has ever had an ocular migraine, when your field of vision suddenly looks like you're seeing everyting through an extremely crinkled piece of cellophane, then I'd call my meltdown experience something like my whole brain BEING an ocular migraine, while at the same time the rest of my body is suddenly unavailable to me for orientation purposes, like it just checked out, decided not to be involved in whatever's going on. So my whole being is stuck inside a brain that's unfocused, blurry buzz of utter disorientation. It's...the worst. Thank God it isn't often. And trying to talk to somebody to ask help is soooo hard.

  • @streetmermaid
    @streetmermaid ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Learning some simple sign language has been helpful for those situations where it's difficult to speak your needs! You can even make up a hand signal that you and your partner can use to help the situation too

    • @rachann8672
      @rachann8672 ปีที่แล้ว

      This is exactly what I have done! It's really helpful

  • @chloebunde4455
    @chloebunde4455 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you for this! Very helpful and interesting topic! My partner is also autistic so we have had to communicate with each other a lot about meltdowns. I think we have gotten pretty good after a lot of conversations at supporting each other!
    The hard thing we face now is shutdowns.
    When I am nonverbal and emotionless in shutdown, she gets scared, thinking I am giving her a sort of cold silent treatment. She then asks for validation that everything is okay which I cannot offer because I am in shutdown.
    The current solution we are trying out is me giving her a hand signal so she knows that I love her and I am not angry at her, just in shutdown.

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      This comment makes me happy! You are doing the work and figuring out ways to support your own unique needs. It is so important to understand your patterns, which it sounds like you are doing. Remember to do so with grace and gentleness towards yourself and each other.

    • @JRobinWhitley
      @JRobinWhitley 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I’m just realizing that I am ASD. In my meltdown, I go silent and want to be left alone. Also, I don’t want the touched at all. I am new to the diagnosis and to my marriage. My partner is trying to say she’s ADHD but I see her too in a lot of these videos on “signs”. I usually write a letter about important things. Not sure how to even approach this.

  • @bonarmilne537
    @bonarmilne537 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My partner has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD at age 30 we’ve been together for 2 year now and I struggle to deal with her meltdowns because she goes in such a big overload it takes time for me to process it which is difficult at time because all the information I’m being given! Any tips out there how to deal with these situations? Plus I have ADHD and I have been seeing autistic patterns in myself which probably doesn’t help the situation

    • @anamakesthings
      @anamakesthings 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It warmed my heart to see this comment. I'm also an autistic woman, 36, with a non-autistic (former?) partner. I have *begged* him for 4 years to do the tiniest bit of research so that he can try and understand what's happening in my spicy brain. Most importantly, how desperately I needed him to not take my meltdowns personally. Just the fact that you're here in the comments, being interested in how you can help, means the world. I cannot begin to describe how crushingly lonely it can get when your partner is unwilling to learn about your very very difficult struggles. I have never felt more worthless than in my own home, being told that I'm a waste of space and should be sleeping on the street :( Thank you so much for not being that person. Whenever you feel scared and overwhelmed, know that it's ok. Chances are, you won't be able to fix, manage or avoid bad episodes, but just you being there can make a world of difference. It's never a bad idea to just say "I'm hurting seeing you like this and I'm hurting even more not knowing how to make it better right now, but I'm not going anywhere." I'd say honesty is always the best policy - it gives us knowledge of how you view the current situation and what to expect. It will take time and a lot of vulnerability but I'll take "It's rough, isn't it? I feel so powerless not knowing how to make it better. But I'm here, as we're going through it and I'll be here when it passes." over "just calm down!" :) take care of yourselves and, again, fantastic job with doing your homework!

    • @bonarmilne537
      @bonarmilne537 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@anamakesthings it does get very hard at time and been times where I’ve thought about walking away but I couldn’t leave someone I love in that kind of situation where she feels unwanted and worthless and then her mind going in overdrive wondering why it happened blaming herself when it isn’t her fault it’s down to me to understand the situation and find ways to help her! My youngest brother has autism and at times I think I’d hate to see him being treated differently

  • @daniela1970-d3o
    @daniela1970-d3o 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Can a meltdown last for months. This month I´ve felt without energy. It´s so frustating. I am self diagnosed Aspie. I´m happy but sort of shocked.

  • @wickedangelofmusic
    @wickedangelofmusic ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I recently got out of a years long relationship and was basically told in the end that I'm too needy. Ever since I've had a hard time asking for accommodations in relationships. I make sure to present my needs right at the start but any time I have to reiterate them I worry I'm asking too much. All this to say the statements you made at the end of this video had me in tears. I wish I had this information in my life years ago.

  • @anitakaul8323
    @anitakaul8323 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm feeling so angry. I lose my ability to speak when there's "too much" (still figuring out how to articulate these things), and in the midst of being in this state, I had a therapist tell me that if I didn't say something within the next 3 seconds I would be sent away (nowhere close to the end of the session). I couldn't (and wouldn't respond to a threat like that, even if I could have)...but I'm feeling so much (and probably pain) that she would see me struggling to speak and decide I was being difficult instead of having difficulty. And as a therapist, she could have helped me figure out what was happening and why. But she chose to see me in the worst light. Ugh.

  • @mindyBergeron-Lawrence
    @mindyBergeron-Lawrence 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I know this is completely off the topic of this video but as a recently self-diagnosed autistic person I'm still learning a lot about all of this. something that has come up for me that I haven't seen or heard about anywhere is that when someone is trying to show me where to find information on a page or a receipt or something I have a really hard time focusing in on it and it makes it really hard to look for the info myself when I need to find it. I'm not sure if that makes sense to anybody but I was just curious if anyone else has that issue. it also shows up when someone asks me to find information on something like a boarding pass. Someone might ask hey what gate number is it again and I have a very hard time finding that info especially if there is a lot written on the thing I'm looking at. often times I will just hand them the item so they can find the info they need.

  • @Tavita221
    @Tavita221 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Do autistic meltdowns include rage and extreme anger that is expressed by verbally attacking oneʻs partner because, say, something when wrong in a schedule like a subway train was 20 minutes late and they had been planning to make dinner a particular time?

  • @ICantEvenImagine
    @ICantEvenImagine 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you so much for your commitment to this channel as a fellow Mom on the spectrum and aspiring entrepreneur I commend you. Also when trying to share videos with my partner on autism and they aren't always as direct and clear so I appreciate these.

  • @BrideofJesuChristo2
    @BrideofJesuChristo2 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My ex was really inconsistent and it caused a meltdown, which he used as an excuse to dump me.

  • @EarthLady22
    @EarthLady22 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I just had a meltdown last night, lasting until this afternoon. Flashback from a traumatic time in the past, reared its head over a misunderstanding with my husband of many years.
    I have to say; I watched many of your videos, and did some of the suggestions you offered. And it really helped shorten this meltdown.
    I also got your recommended Ono roller in the mail the other day, which has been helping so much.
    Saying Thank You, is an understatement! I am truly Grateful for your help ❤

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Aw thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me. I really appreciate it and am so glad the information has helped you make important changes for yourself!

    • @AnnamarieShellard
      @AnnamarieShellard 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Here with a similar experience❤

    • @EarthLady22
      @EarthLady22 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@AnnamarieShellard
      Just got your reply, trauma from the past can be difficult. Hope your doing better today.
      Mom on the spectrum has a lot of good advice, as well as some of the community.
      Take good care of you 💕 This seems to be the main message, and is very helpful for me, since I tend to take care of others before myself. This is part of the past that I am changing now.
      Hope you feel more balanced soon! Sending love 💞

  • @twister98
    @twister98 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Many people don’t like the term going nonverbal and prefer to say situational mutism as nonverbal is a term used to describe the experience of autistics who may never be able to speak and are appropriating it to a completely different experience because we will never know what it‘s like to be nonverbal. What do you think?

    • @lauraburystedmundsyoga8231
      @lauraburystedmundsyoga8231 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I would say I become unable to communicate, because I couldn't write or communicate in any other way either when I'm in that state. It's really horrible

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Thank you for bringing this to my attention. At this moment in time, here are my thoughts: It feels impossible to have the right words on a mainstream platform like youtube to accommodate everyone. For me, the term nonverbal is easy-to-use and helps me describe my experience in a way that I feel like also enlightens the people around me. I think in one-on-one situations, it is important to use words that offer comfort and support rather than frustration. So if I was in a friendship or relationship with someone who was upset by the term nonverbal, I would work on switching up my language to better accommodate this. My thoughts for now. But I will definitely remain aware of this perspective - you're the first person to bring this to my attention re: nonverbal vs. situational mutism, and I appreciate it!

  • @r.1599
    @r.1599 ปีที่แล้ว +1

  • @minako25
    @minako25 ปีที่แล้ว

    I don't know how I feel about being kind to myself right now. There's clearly something wrong with me that drugs upon drugs don't help. I definitely have had shutdowns (called a ___), have so much social difficulty and life disfunction.
    I was told by important people in my life that this is just a fad and trend that I'm jumping on for attention. So while I wait to talk yo a professional, I'm torn between' "there's an explanation," and you're a psychopath.
    Edit: it also sucks because I only have 3 friends and if this one hates me now too (like everyone) than I only have 2 friends left. Math.

  • @tellmesomethinggood.
    @tellmesomethinggood. ปีที่แล้ว

    You are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your story and what you have learned it is really making a difference in my discovery journey.

  • @mountsinai_
    @mountsinai_ ปีที่แล้ว

    I really like the way you talk

  • @Grognard-Solo-Gaming
    @Grognard-Solo-Gaming ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi! Thanks for this video. I have a question that I can’t find the answer to and it’s about getting mentally blocked or “locked in” to a certain idea. The person I’m trying to understand and help will insist that something has to happen or be a certain way. One reoccurring example is refusing to pause a movie to do something else, even if we’re watching more after the pause. And if the evening hasn’t been good, refusing to go to bed, with the intention of making the evening better even though it just makes everything worse. Is this something you recognize? Something you could talk about or do you know of any resources I could look at? I find a lot of information about meltdowns, but not this and I really want to understand it better.

    • @linam.9675
      @linam.9675 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      the not going to sleep thing coulp be ADHD. "revenge night time procastintion" i think they call it

  • @ArtyAntics
    @ArtyAntics ปีที่แล้ว

    I found this confusing because you switch between meltdowns and shutdowns.

  • @lisamirjajoerg
    @lisamirjajoerg ปีที่แล้ว

    How does your flare affiliation work? Im based in Germany. Does it work worldwide and if so, what is the Code please?

    • @MomontheSpectrum
      @MomontheSpectrum  ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm 99% sure it works in Germany! You can use this link to check it out. A portion of all purchases made through this link come back to the channel. Thanks for asking! www.flareaudio.com/momonthespectrum
      If you have further questions you can reach me at info@momonthespectrum.life