Judy Endow, MSW judyendow.com Too much new for back to school is why I just don’t like it, though each new thing all by itself is entirely acceptable. New shiny shoes I do so love new ribbons in my hair a freshly pressed brand new pink dress Oh ……. ain’t I debonair! My satchel packed with all new things with all the stuff I need sits on the floor next to the door just waiting for me to leave! New class lists posted on the doors; the students find their names. They take their seats and wait to see what will this brand new teacher say! “Unpack supplies. Get settled in. My name is on the board.” On and on…
Tag: Judy Endow
Judy Endow, MSW www.asperger.net www.makinglemonadestore.com Meltdown behavior is quite common for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders. And, indeed, the most frequently asked question by parents and educators is: “What do I do when my child has meltdowns?” When the meltdown is occurring, the best reaction is to ensure the safety of all concerned. Know that explosive behavior is not planned but instead is most often caused by subtle and perplexing triggers. When the behavior happens, everyone in its path feels pain, especially the child. Stages of Explosive Behavior So, what exactly is explosive behavior? In my book Outsmarting Explosive Behavior: A Visual System of Support and Intervention for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Endow, 2009), explosive behavior is defined as having four distinct stages, followed by a clearly defined recovery period. In addition, the physiological fight/flight mechanism is triggered immediately prior to the explosion. In this model, the four stages…