Triggers are exactly what they say....for Autism, it can be almost anything imagineable that is the onset of behavior and meltdowns.For instance.....those of us in the community refer to different things as possible "triggers" often never really knowing for sure because it is a great mystery and our kids just can't ,won't or don't tell us what caused them to go "sideways".
"Triggers"come in all kinds of forms and sources.They can be emotional, physical, psychological,environmental or sensory driven.Examples would be observing an argument by others-emotional:a t-shirt with a tag poking their neck-physical: their brain not accepting a command to work a part of the body-psychological:a color or texture of carpet or walls-environmental and finally a noise..like a trash truck going by- sensory
There are hundreds if not thousands of these occurrences every day and many of our kids do develop a level of tolerance for most however almost every individual has a few that no matter how hard they try; they cannot handle it and will meltdown.
There are hundreds if not thousands of these occurrences every day and many of our kids do develop a level of tolerance for most however almost every individual has a few that no matter how hard they try; they cannot handle it and will meltdown.
Its funny as a parent who is keenly aware of this, as most parents are, you try to be present and eliminate as many "triggers" as you can BUT there are always those that sneak up on you . They leave
you confused and wondering for hours, days sometimes even weeks
what the hell happened and why did our child go off like that...you analyze, pick a part try to identify and many times never come up with an answer.....other times I have what I call (open hand slapping my forehead) "wow I should have had a V-8" moment...all of a sudden it's like the light has come on and you completely know what it was that caused that meltdown .....You make a mental note and forever in the future you try with everything you have to avoid that "trigger"! Often we as parents and caregivers identify this "behavior" as adopting a kind of autism;by osmosis. Another
observation by many is that you become "anal" when trying to
avoid certain Situations or making certain environments identical in order to eliminate the meltdown.
One thing for sure most of the public or community don't get it or understand it.Once the individual explodes and is observed then it becomes apparent the need for a a routine or pattern.
Triggers are a tricky thing. Your child doesn't tell you "Oh That's Pissed me Off" or "the color bothers me"or "the noise is irritating" It's really a crazy feeling when you are constantly reviewing environments in order for your child to function "typically". Just another part of the job!
you confused and wondering for hours, days sometimes even weeks
what the hell happened and why did our child go off like that...you analyze, pick a part try to identify and many times never come up with an answer.....other times I have what I call (open hand slapping my forehead) "wow I should have had a V-8" moment...all of a sudden it's like the light has come on and you completely know what it was that caused that meltdown .....You make a mental note and forever in the future you try with everything you have to avoid that "trigger"! Often we as parents and caregivers identify this "behavior" as adopting a kind of autism;by osmosis. Another
observation by many is that you become "anal" when trying to
avoid certain Situations or making certain environments identical in order to eliminate the meltdown.
One thing for sure most of the public or community don't get it or understand it.Once the individual explodes and is observed then it becomes apparent the need for a a routine or pattern.
Triggers are a tricky thing. Your child doesn't tell you "Oh That's Pissed me Off" or "the color bothers me"or "the noise is irritating" It's really a crazy feeling when you are constantly reviewing environments in order for your child to function "typically". Just another part of the job!
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