Why Reacting To Meltdowns Doesn't Work – And What To Do Instead

Most parents want to know: “What do I do when my child is in the middle of a meltdown?” The truth is, by the time your child reaches that stage, there’s not much you can do except keep everyone safe and let the big emotions run their course. But here’s the good news, you can learn to be proactive with your tools and bring lasting change by influencing behaviors instead of controlling them. Reduce and even eliminate meltdowns by teaching skills before the meltdown ever happens.

In this episode, Debra Johnson, pediatric occupational therapist and founder of STEPS for Development, shares why being proactive is the real key to helping kids build self-regulation. You’ll learn:

• Why children can’t reason or “snap out of it” during a meltdown
• How to step into detective mode and spot patterns behind big emotions
• Practical examples of proactive tools you can use before situations escalate
• Why empathy and perspective-taking are the foundation of skill-building
• How consistent, proactive teaching leads to fewer meltdowns over time

If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of reacting to your child’s behavior, this episode will show you a different path with proactive steps to support changing behaviors, not just stopping them.