“She was fine five minutes ago.”
We hear this all the time.
But most meltdowns don’t erupt suddenly — they build silently.
What Looks Like “Overreaction” Might Be:
- A full day of masking emotions at school
- Feeling excluded, dismissed, or invisible
- A sensory or physical need going unmet (hungry, tired, overstimulated)
Common Triggers:
- Emotional overload from trying to stay “in control”
- Unprocessed social pain (friendship drama, feeling judged)
- Stress she doesn’t have the tools to name or release
How to Help:
✨ Ask what she’s feeling, not “what’s wrong”
✨ Offer sensory tools (deep pressure, quiet space, movement)
✨ Stay calm — co-regulation works better than correction
✨ Later, help her reflect: “What do you think that meltdown was trying to say?”
Teach Her This Phrase:
“It felt bigger than what happened because it wasn’t just about what happened.”
Meltdowns are not manipulation.
They’re messages.
With practice, tools, and compassion, she’ll learn to speak them before they explode.
🌊 KOA can help — explore more at koa.ltd