MELTDOWN - WHAT'S BELOW THE ICEBERG?
A meltdown is the part people see. The sensory, emotional and physical build-up underneath can be much harder to notice.
This Space to Breathe Therapy guide uses the iceberg model to look beneath a meltdown at sensory overload, cumulative stress, feeling trapped, unmet needs, emotional overload, loss of control, past experiences, communication difficulties, exhaustion and the need for safety.
Inside the PDF:
• understanding what a meltdown is
• why the final trigger is rarely the whole story
• autistic meltdown and masking
• early warning signs
• meltdown versus goal-directed behaviour
• what helps during peak overload
• communication when speech becomes difficult
• safety without shame or punishment
• a full meltdown-iceberg reflection worksheet
• a personal meltdown support plan
• recovery after a meltdown
• guidance for parents, partners and supporters
• workplace and education adjustments
• reducing cumulative overload
• a personal message from Maggie
• books and professional sources
This guide encourages people to move away from asking only, “How do we stop the behaviour?” and towards understanding what has accumulated beneath the surface and what support could reduce overload earlier.
This resource is psychoeducational and does not replace individual medical, psychological or occupational assessment.
Space to Breathe Therapy
Understanding creates change.
