DBT Can Prevent Autistic Melt Downs & Shut Downs

What exactly can Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) do to prevent autistic melt downs and shut downs?

Shut Downs & Melt Downs

What are shut downs and melt downs?

Shut downs and melt downs are serious neurological states where the brain becomes overloaded with processing information that it shuts down or short circuits. This means the brain can no longer work to perform even simple or “normal” demands. The information overload that produces shutdowns and meltdowns can be emotional demands, processing speech, loud and/or crowded places, executive functioning demands, major changes. The stimuli that leads to neurological overload is different from person to person, and varies from one context to the other. Shut downs and melt downs need to be taken seriously, and need to be prevented. They can lead to nero degeneration, burnout that can take years to come out of and overall greatly reduce the quality of life for an autistic.

How do I know when shut downs and melt downs are happening?

• Fatigue, exhaustion

• Slowed or stopped processing

• Need for regulation that is simple-music, rocking, weighted blankets, shutting out the rest of the world

• Nervous system is dys regulated-irritation, panic, thoughts loud and looping

• Heightened need for autonomy

• Inability to speak or have clear thoughts

• Cannot function

• Need to get rid of excess energy in the body-mind

**There are only SOME characteristics.

Can shut downs and melt downs go unnoticed?

Yes!! Shutdowns and meltdowns can be repressed-suppressed, where an observer would not know they are occurring. Concurrently, the autistic may not be aware they are happening. This is a serous issues as it can lead to incapacitated burn out and severe chronic illness.

DBT

Each one of DBT’s modules-Mindfulness Skills, Distress Tolerance Skills, Emotion Regulation Skills, and Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills are appropriate for autistics generally and for autistic melt downs and shut downs. The 3 skill I have chosen below are particularly potent for autistic shut downs and melt downs, I have seen these work well with my clients.

For preventing and healing from shut downs and melt downs with autistics, practicing the DBT skills below can:

• Strengthen the brain-mind-body’s ability to ground & anchor

• Increase access to peace and contentment

• Increase sense of autonomy

• Reduce autonomic system arousal

MINDFULNESS SKILLS

1. ONE MINDFULLY: do one thing at a time.

   
   

   This is about cultivating awareness to the present moment. It does not mean controlling thoughts, behaviors and emotions. It means at each moment, control your awareness to exactly what is happening.

   
   

   For example: when you are walking, just notice walking; when you are worrying, just focus on worrying; when you feel tired, just notice feeling tired. This is one thing at a time.

   
   

2. EFFECTIVELY: do only what is needed, and nothing that it’s needed.

Coupled with ONE MINDFULLY, EFFECTIVELLY can make it very clear when shut downs and melt downs are starting, and what the best decision is at each moment. This could mean hanging up the phone or walking away from someone, not due to conflict but due to processing demands increasing quickly. It could also mean staying home from work, canceling plans, or only engaging in simple regulating activities by oneself. Making these decisions earlier rather than later as processing demands are rising.

DISTRESS TOLERANCE SKILLS

3. SELF SOOTHE: using the senses to self-soothe.

This can also be powerful for autistics. It is beneficial for autistics to know their go-to self soothing practices, and to cultivate a deep awareness/mindfulness WHILE DOING THE SELF-SOOTHE PRACTICE. This can be a hot bath, echolalia, smelling something soothing, or paying attention to the breath.

Self soothe can reduce emotional pain, not by suppressing it, but by integrating it. The breath is always there, so encouraging a practice of awareness of breath is essential. We may not always have access to music, a bath or the sky to gaze at, but at every moment our breath is there, so make it your friend.

You don’t need a certification in DBT to teach mindfulness, breath practices, how to soothe oneself and how to cultivate awareness.

I am here for consulting with clinicians, therapy with autistics and their loved ones, and autism evaluations. Contact me for a free discovery call.

Kristina-bravo@outlook.com

737-825-5005

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