How a Meltdown Expresses creates a Neural Pattern

Each child has their own expression of a meltdown. Whether that is crying, shutting down in silence, yelling, kicking, screaming, punching or other forms of aggressive expression, these patterns of how the meltdown express become a habit.

Have you ever noticed?

Once the trigger is ignited, the meltdown expresses …. it has it’s path and somehow, always looks and sounds the same.

It has created it’s own neural pattern, embedded in the brain – this, then this, then this, then that, until it reaches the end.  This may be seconds, minutes or hours ….

So what do you do?

Easiest thing is to not let it become a habituated pattern.

Trigger – Divert – then this – Divert – then this – Divert, until the Diversion takes hold as the primary focus, instead of the meltdown.

But …. you have to start before the meltdown starts it’s cycle.

Trust me your child knows one is building ….

There are signs if you are aware and can pick them out ….

Copyright/Author: Adrienne J Furness