Autistic characters can add depth to your narrative, but such characters should be portrayed with sensitivity and accuracy. Portraying an autistic character having a meltdown can be particularly delicate. It requires an understanding of the physical, sensory, and emotional experiences that arise in such a situation, which can often feel overwhelming for the character.
Understanding Meltdowns in Autistic Characters:
Meltdowns are a physical reaction to overwhelming emotional or sensory experiences, often triggered by excessive stress. They are not tantrums aimed at achieving a specific outcome. Rather, they represent a loss of control that may manifest as crying, shouting, physical outbursts, or withdrawal.
During such episodes, individuals may experience heightened sensory awareness (e.g., heightened sensitivity to sounds, textures, smells, light, etc.
), difficulties with language processing, and issues with balance and coordination.
Recognizing the Warning Signs:
Before a meltdown, numerous warning signs can occur. These may include feelings of disorientation, headaches, feelings of heat or cold, and a sense of heightened sensory input. The individual may begin to shake and lose coordination, experience feelings of tension, and have difficulties processing the world around them.
Despite these warning signs, a meltdown can still be hard to predict, and various factors play into them.
Depicting an Autistic Meltdown:
In writing an autistic character having a meltdown, it’s essential to authentically depict their experiences. Use strong sensory language to describe the overload of sensory input and the character’s physical responses, such as:
- Tensing up;
- The onset of nausea;
- A sudden shivering or trembling;
- The perception of sounds as overwhelmingly loud or distressing;
- Feelings of being disconnected from the surroundings.
How your character reacts outwardly during a meltdown (e.g., screaming, hitting, withdrawing) depends on their personal coping mechanisms and the severity of the meltdown.
The Aftermath of a Meltdown:
After a meltdown, characters may experience various recovery symptoms, such as extreme fatigue, dehydration, headaches, and a lingering “hangover” effect. They may also grapple with negative feelings, like guilt or worthlessness. Supportive actions may include seeking out comforting spaces, engaging in comforting activities or stimming (self-stimulating behaviors), or using tools like weight vests or blankets.
Every individual is unique, and recovery time and means can vary.
Conclusions:
Writing an autistic character experiencing a meltdown can be challenging but ultimately rewarding when done right. It involves portraying their unique sensory experiences, emotions, and coping mechanisms with sensitivity and understanding. Remember, the goal of these descriptions is not to generate pity but to foster empathy and understanding for autistic individuals and their experiences. It’s not about defining the character by their meltdown but acknowledging that it’s one aspect of their life. Pausing to properly understand, write and revise these experiences can result in authentic, compelling, and respectful portrayals of autistic characters.