Meltdown

Sudden emotional outburst involving crying, yelling, or shutting down completely.

Example: A student throws their pencil, begins crying loudly, or storms out.

Signs to Look For:

Escalating frustration.

Inability to respond to redirection.

Sudden emotional or behavioral dysregulation.

Quick Intervention

Stay calm, lower your voice, and offer space if needed.

Remove audience (peers) if possible.

Avoid reasoning during peak emotion; debrief later.

Refer to Counselor

Frequent meltdowns may indicate underlying emotional regulation challenges or trauma. A counselor can support emotional literacy and coping strategies.