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In a message dated 9/4/00 7:45:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time, samiot@...
writes:

<< Julie Thank you for this idea. I'm going to try it. I'm so afraid my ds
will hurt himself when he goes into one of his "out of control". I've tried
holding him & talking to him softly but that takes so long. I used to take
1-2 hours now 30-45 minutes. But when the moment passes he's such a sweetie
& like he doesn't know it ever happened. Later he'll tell me he's having a
really bad day. I've tried swats (through pants & only enough to feel) a
few times but that doesn't work at all so it's been dropped. But your idea
of laying next to him & talking is worth a try.

>>I will never forget Ali's first meltdown (my term)...it was scarey for us
both....thrashing about and screaming....since then (over a yr ago and many
meltdowns since then) Ali and I are discovering prevention
techniques....watching for too much simulation, not enough sleep, not enough
healthy food or too long in between snacks.....however even watching for
these is not a cure all.....when meltdowns happen....I sit on the floor and
talk in a low voice stating "I understand you are having trouble getting
contol of yourself..I will sit here and when you need me I will be waiting
for you...with in minutes she is usually crawling on my lap, then I let her
cry. When the storm is calming with deep breathing we do together, we talk
about what led to the meltdown and try to fix whatever we can....

What am I hopeful my little one is learning,.....when she is out of control I
am here to help her, plus how to help herself by following my led (deep
breathing)....seems a little better that a swat on the bottom...

Julie