This is what an autistic meltdown can look like in adulthood. And this one is mine.
I’m a mom. A caregiver. A safe space for my children, who also has meltdowns and I hold each of them through each one with patience, gentleness, and love. I sit with them in the storm until it passes. I understand their cues, their overwhelm, their need for space or closeness, and I never shame them for how their body and brain are responding. They are learning and processing.
But when it’s me… the grace often disappears. Adults aren't given the same room to unravel. We're expected to stay composed, rational, quiet even when our nervous systems are screaming. Even when our brains are flooded, when speech shuts down, when the world feels too heavy to carry for one more second.
My meltdowns don’t make me a bad mom. They don’t make me unstable, dramatic, or less deserving of respect. They’re not a failure of emotional control, they are my brain’s last resort after holding too much for too long.
What’s hard is needing the same compassion I give so freely to my daughter, but knowing the world rarely offers it to people like me. And that’s why I share this. Because autistic adults have meltdowns too. And we deserve understanding, not shame. Safe regulation, not punishment. A soft place to land, not judgment.
So if you’re someone who melts down and feels broken because of it , please hear this: You’re not wrong. You’re not weak. You are navigating life with a nervous system that feels deeply and powerfully. And that deserves care too. You’re allowed to be seen. You’re allowed to ask for help. And you’re still worthy of love and respect in your calm, in your storm, and everything in between.
Key Facts & Points:
✳️ 1. A Meltdown Is Not a Tantrum.
It’s a neurological response to overload—not manipulation or attention-seeking.
It can happen even when the person is trying their hardest to hold it together.
✳️ 2. Meltdowns Can Be Loud or Silent.
Some people scream or cry.
Others freeze, go nonverbal, or shut down completely.
Both are valid—one isn’t more “real” than the other.
✳️ 3. Triggers Build Up Over Time.
A meltdown is usually the final result of a long list of things like:
Sensory overload
Unmet communication needs
Emotional exhaustion
Masking for too long
Too many small stresses piling up
✳️ 4. Brain Fog Can Be a Warning Sign.
Forgetting what you're doing, stuttering, mixing up words, or feeling “stuck” mentally
These are early signs your brain is overwhelmed—and pushing through them can trigger a meltdown
✳️ 5. Common Signs During a Meltdown:
Crying, stuttering, or saying the wrong words
Pacing, leg shaking, or repetitive movements (like tapping, pulling skin, etc.)
Freezing, blanking out, or dissociating
Emotional release—feeling helpless, ashamed, or panicked
✳️ 6. Meltdowns Are Not Shameful.
They are your body trying to protect you.
Recovery might look like laying down, going quiet, or needing space.
✳️ 7. What Helps in the Moment:
Silence and space
Low lights, no questions, no pressure
Validation without trying to "fix it"
Letting the moment pass without judgment
✳️ 8. Aftermath of a Meltdown:
You may feel exhausted, foggy, or emotionally raw
This is part of the recovery—it’s okay to rest and not explain
Thank you for watching, and for your continuous support! Make sure to Like, Comment your thoughts below and subscribe to stay up to date on our journey!
Our Latest Video:
Mikko Is Showing Signs of Trauma:
• Mikko is showing signs of TRAUMA! *She was...
Mikko Tells What Happened At School:
• Mikko Tells What Happened at School...
The Hard Truth About Mikko Being Nonverbal:
• The HARD TRUTH about Mikko being Nonverbal...
Follow our Social Media:
Instagram (@mikkomirage)
/ mikkomirage
Instagram (@precioushill_)
/ precioushill_
Facebook: (Precious Hill)
/ prepre14
Tiktok: (@precioushill_)
https://www.tiktok.com/@precioushill_...
Snapchat:
/ bfnr1mio
Информация по комментариям в разработке