version: UK | USA | International

Managing Family Meltdown

Managing Family Meltdown

The Low Arousal Approach and Autism

Linda Woodcock and Andrea Page
Foreword by Andrew McDonnell

Paperback: £12.99 / $18.95

2009, 234mm x 156mm / 9.25in x 6in, 176pp
ISBN: 978-1-84905-009-8, BIC 2: VFX JM

add to cart
  • description |
  • reviews |
  • contents |

Challenging behaviour, violent outbursts and meltdowns can put a strain on the entire family of a child on the autism spectrum. This book offers practical, long-term and effective strategies to help resolve common challenging behaviours using a low arousal approach - a non-aversive approach based on avoiding confrontation and reducing stress and anxiety.

Managing Family Meltdown provides explanations for challenging behaviours, and offers a wealth of guidance on how families can manage different types of challenging behaviour, such as physical aggression and self-injury. The authors explore the difference between managing and changing behaviour; how our own behaviour can influence the situation; and show how by reducing stress and anxiety children are better able to process information becoming less likely to react in challenging ways. The pros and cons of medication and ways to look after your own health are also discussed.

This hands-on, practical book is appropriate for children who are non-verbal, as well as those with higher functioning autism and will be indispensable for families, carers and anyone involved with children on the autism spectrum.

Blog posts

JKP attends the NAS Professional Conference 2011

3 March 2011

This week, JKP attended the National Autistic Society (NAS) Professional Conference for the first time, and we are pleased to say that it was a resounding success! The theme, “Delivering excellence in times of austerity”, was poignant as the announcement of the new public sector budgets approaches, but the mood of the conference was definitely one of[... read more]

Linda Woodcock on Managing Meltdowns

15 February 2010

"The low arousal approach is based on three assumptions, firstly that most individuals who are distressed are extremely aroused at the time, therefore we should avoid doing anything to make it worse..."