When the World Is Too Much: Managing Meltdowns and Sensory Overload
"We were at my sister's wedding. The music, the lights, the crowds—it was too much for him. He started screaming, throwing himself on the ground. Everyone stared. My mother-in-law said, 'If you'd disciplined him properly, this wouldn't have happened.' I wanted to disappear. Instead, I carried my thrashing child out while people whispered about my parenting." — Deepa, mother of a 5-year-old with autism You've seen "the look." The one other thing parents give you when your child is melting down in public. The look that says: Control your child. What kind of parent are you? My kids would never. You've heard the comments. Sometimes whispered, sometimes said right to your face: "All he needs is some discipline." "You're too soft on her." "Just ignore it, he'll stop." "Have you tried time-out?" And the worst part? There's a tiny voice in your head that sometimes won...