Preventing a Meltdown.

Today Asher started getting a little silly. He began throwing toys, running into things, jumping on the spot and pushing his sister and his dad. Instantly we knew how to help him. Paul encouraged Asher to sit down, we put the TV on and placed his weighted blanket over his lap. A few minutes later Asher had relaxed - crisis averted! He was even able to answer with a 'yes' when Paul asked him if he felt funny inside.

6 months ago this wouldn't have happened. We didn't know how to help him then and didn't recognise the signs of a sensory overload. His behaviour would have escalated. Someone would have got hurt, Asher would have been told off and a full blown meltdown would have happened. A meltdown that could last an hour and a half.

So what have we got in place to help him? We follow a sensory diet daily, Asher goes to OT once a fortnight. We have a 'fiddle box' full of sensory toys for him to explore. We've bought a weighted blanket and snake (called Cedric!), earmuffs, chew toys. We make sure that when we go out we take some of these things with us. Not every situation like the one I described earlier ends so well, but we are so thankful that we have learnt enough so far to help him, even just that little bit.