A 'Meltdown' can develop slowly, starting with Twitches, and Fidgeting. Hitting Self, biting ones self is more severe, then comes the Sensory Overload brought upon by a Trigger (Lights, Smell, Sound, or the Combination of any) and that can lead to screaming and the 'Fight or Flight' response.
Redirection can work to curb the feelings, like getting them a drink or a snack.
Sometimes the 'Meltdowns' happen due to communication Barriers, the inability to express that they need to go toilet, or are just hungry.

@A MyAutismTeam Member,

I have to disagree with you based on my 10 years of teaching special Ed, and my additional ten years of parenting an Aspergers child. Every child is different, and will have different reactions to different situations. It's pretty easy for me to tell when my child is melting down, or throwing a fit for attention as all children do. My son has mostly sensory and social issues. He melts down if he doesn't have the exact same lunch everyday. He melts down if he has socks on. He melts down if a piece of clothing has a tag on it, or isn't 100% cotton. If he hears an eraser being used, or marker writing on paper he loses it. He wears head phones if it is too noisy. He will occasionally hit himself in the head. None of these are for attention. He's not looking to see if anyone is watching. All of these situations stem from sensory issues, not from not getting his way. I read your article, & I think it's a little dangerous to give vague, broad based symptoms that are supposed to be a tantrum instead of a meltdown. I think you need a great deal of training and experience to make that call. Behavior intervention can work wonders, but it needs to be based on observed and recorded data. If you can't tangibly measure what behavior you want to change, it isn't valid. There's a lot more to it than seeing whether or not a kid is making eye contact with you during their poor behavior. Autism has such a huge range of levels under the umbrella or spectrum that there are endless reasons or ranges for behavior problem. I think the parent knows their child best, and can figure out the best way to improve their behavior. Or they may need professional help. That's my two cents, but I know we can all have different opinions.

Mentioned Users

A MyAutis...

Max melts down when he gets hurt, kid bumped into him at school accidentally- max insisted it was on purpose, brother teaseshim, he loses at a game, he misreads a social situation, if he is disciplined at school, etc. he usually screams at the top of his lungs, hides- under tables at school, refuses to follow directions at school- won't come in from recess, won't transition activities, ignores teacher or runs away from her. His recovery from these fits can be as long as an hour. I know it's a melt down because it's such a huge overreaction that can go on forever at times. He will also have them at school when he peers don't. This year we incorporated a behavior plan, and it has made a huge difference in his behavior for the better. He will also smack or hit himself in the head at times. Not hard, but not something his classroom peers do. If you have other kids, try to compare his frustrations with theirs. Or ask his classroom teacher or your pediatrician about it.

Anyone can have it, except it really throws off our ASD Child(ren)'s ability to handle their emotions @A MyAutismTeam Member. Thus the Emotional Meltdown.

Mentioned Users

A MyAutis...

My 2 nt children have tantrums that can be easily distracted and cagooled out of. Mia's melt downs can occur over the tinniest things and there's no winning her over. I let her slam doors shout and shut herself I'm her room until she calms. I think the difference is Mia doesn't act up for attention but my other children do so I've learnt to leave her alone for a whole.