The differences between a tantrum and a meltdown

 

I was going to do another short video about meltdowns, but as I now have a cold I am writing this instead. I might do the video next week. Following my last video about what are meltdowns, I thought I'd give a quick idea what I think the two differences are between meltdowns and tantrums. To listen to what I had to say, catch my video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ4-EvwY09M&t=3s

1. When a child has a tantrum it is often attention seeking. So they might look up during the tantrum to see if someone has seen them. When a child/adult has a meltdown we are focussed on our own feelings. We might know what we are doing but we don't intend to seek attention.

2. When a child has a tantrum they can often shout out eg I hate you. When a child has a meltdown, they are focussed on their own emotions and not shouting out.

I know when I have had meltdowns, I cry and hate being the cause of attention. I try to calm myself down so no one can see how distressed I am.

I hope that makes sense.

Let me know what you think.

How to grow a brand

While I am waiting for my designer to do the cover and interior for my latest children's autism book, I have been busy growing my autism brand in other ways. I have made a video what I am doing but here is what I am doing and have done so far.

I have had articles published in autism magazines. They are Exceptional Needs Today and Uncovered. I will be having another out in SEN magazine next month. You can read my article in Exceptional Needs Today here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19k9V3sul-KcgHHGXrMMmtKIt60i4agyK/view

I have done more videos about autism for my YouTube channel. I have decided to be an exhibitor at a neurodiversity conference in April and will be selling my books there (I hope). I am going to be super busy in March and April because I have been booked to do talks and workshops to SEN groups at a SEN school and libraries. I have also become part of an adult autistic focus group. For the first time I have something booked each week during March and April, and I'm nervous and excited. This is all new for me. Part of my autism brand.

If I get time I will post about my next book, which I plan to publish in March. So until the next letter, check out the article above to learn about me and my Asperger's, and let me know what you think.

Happy reading.

 

This will be my second and last Christmas Fair this year. Do come along if you are near the Sydenham area on Saturday. Thankfully, there will be no more storms outside as it is forecast to be cold and dry. There will be handmade jewellery, handmade cards, as well as my books. If you buy one of my books you will get a free magnet. Each child who visits Santa will receive a gift. 

Come and say hello to us all.

Hope to see you there.

 

If you are in the Sydenham SE26 London area on 7 December, please come along and say hello. I will be there with all my books which will be selling at my in-person discount. I know there will also be different crafts such as home-made jewellery and diamond art pictures, home-made greeting cards, other author books and paintings. Last year there was even a singing choir but don't know if they are appearing this year. Who knows.

Hope to see you there. 

(Will you be there Councillor Best?)

Five tips to help an autistic child cope with masking after school

 If you have an autistic child who's been to school, here are a few tips to help them when they are home.

1. Have an area or room where your child can unwind and relax without any disturbances.

2. If your autistic child looks tired or stressed (can be both after having masked), let them relax in their own room.

3. If they want to stim or have fun with their special interests, let them.

4. When they are relaxed, then ask them if they have homework and when it has to be done by. Plan when they can do this.

5. Have a planner to hand to book these slots.

Here is a book that you can read all about autistic masking.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Helping-Identify-Understand-Autism-Masking/dp/B0858WJW2M/ref=sr_1_11?tag=juliedayautho-21

I hope you have found this helpful.

Autistic masking at home

 I have been recording videos about autistic masking and what it is and how we mask. If you haven't listened to them yet, please do. They are on myYouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@julieday9517

As I am tired today, I thought I would continue with the series but with this blog. I am going to talk about autistic masking at home. Here are my thoughts.

Do I, or have I masked, at home? When I thought about this for the blog, I felt that my answer was, no, not when I was with my family indoors. When someone visited or we visited them, that was a different matter. Looking back over the years, I don't recall having to mask when I was at home with my family. If someone came to see us or stay with us, usually relatives, I think I did mask. Having to say hello, be cheerful to them. Or if we went and visited them, which I am thinking of years ago as a child when we visited an aunt and uncle on my dad's side, I definitely did mask. I remember I would play with my cousins for a while, then after enough time I would find my mum and be with her. Either sitting down in the lounge area or in the kitchen where she was helping my aunt. It was always when we went out anywhere that I masked. To the shops, to relatives, to hospitals. Any where with other people. Not when I was indoors with my own family. I feel that it was as an adult, especially after I was diagnosed with Asperger's, that the mask slipped and I would sometimes reveal my autism self. It would be when we had visitors and the noise of the chatting got too much for my brain and I sensed it becoming an overload so would go to another room to keep calm and quiet.

So, as an autistic, do you mask at home?

What is autistic masking?

 Have you ever heard the term 'autistic masking' and wondered what it is? It is what autistics, like me, do to try to fit in with the people and environment we are in at the time. Here is my short explanation about it and a couple of times I now believe I masked over the years. Watch my latest video to find out here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyZa5xZzMS0

As I mention at the end, like I always do, if you like what you have heard from me, please like and/or comment on the video. Also please subscribe to my channel. You will learn more about autism from me. I currently have 48 views and only posted it yesterday!

Happy listening.