Autism and Difficult Moments, Revised Edition: Practical Solutions for Reducing Meltdowns - Softcover

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Brenda Smith Myles, PhD, a consultant with the Ziggurat Group, the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the Education and Treatment Services Project for Military Dependent Children with Autism, was the recipient of the Autism Society of America s Outstanding Professional Award; the Princeton Fellowship Award; and the Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Developmental Disabilities Burton Blatt Humanitarian Award. She has written over 150 articles and books on autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns (with Southwick) and Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success (with Adreon). The latter was the winner of the Autism Society of America s Outstanding Literary Work. Brenda has made over 500 presentations all over the world, and served as the co-chair of the National ASD Teacher Standards Committee. Myles is also on the executive boards of several organizations, including the Organization for Autism Research and MAAP Services Inc. In addition, she was acknowledged as the second most productive applied researcher in ASD in the world from 1997 to 2004.

Ruth Aspy, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice with the Ziggurat Group. Dr. Aspy specializes in assessment and intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. She is co-creator of a comprehensive model of intervention. Along with Dr. Barry Grossman, Dr. Aspy has written The Ziggurat Model, winner of the 2008 ASA award for outstanding book of the year. Dr. Aspy speaks internationally. She has experience in both the clinic and school settings.

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Rumbling Stage

The first stage in the cycle is the Rumbling Stage.

“Behaviors” of the Individual

During the Rumbling Stage, individuals with HF-ASD exhibit specific behavioral changes that may not appear to be directly related to a meltdown. They may bite their nails or lips, lower their voices, tense their muscles, tap their foot, grimace, or otherwise indicate general discontent. In addition, they may appear to be slightly off-task, disengaged, or “off the mark.” They may complain of not feeling well. It is easy for others to ignore these seemingly minor behaviors; yet, they often signal an impending crisis.

In other instances, individuals with HF-ASD engage in behaviors that are more pronounced, including withdrawing from others, either emotionally or physically; threatening others, either verbally or physically; or questioning the rules or authority.

Support Person Behaviors

As illustrated in Figure 2.1, as the behavior of the individual with HF-ASD escalates, the support person’s behavior usually follows.

Thus, those in a support role must realize that they may be experiencing their own rumbling behaviors along with the individual with HF-ASD. Regardless of the specific intervention selected, certain general approaches are helpful when seeking to help the person who is rumbling.