I\u2019m an autism mom. My son was diagnosed when he was 6, and it has been a long journey trying to find what helps him overcome his challenges. So when I saw this clip from the television show Survivor<\/a> where Joe stepped out of his team to comfort Eva, I got emotional. It meant the world to me to get to see Eva, who also has autism, succeed. And I loved how the host, Jeff Probst,<\/a> also got emotional.<\/p>\n The best part of this clip is how Eva explained what an autistic episode of overwhelm looks and feels like. I was so proud of the show for allowing Eva to cope in the way she needed to cope. She had gotten overwhelmed during a very difficult challenge. She completed the challenge, but it put her over the edge, and her system got out of whack. As she screamed and screamed, Joe left his team with the host\u2019s permission and comforted her. He helped her regulate again and calm down.<\/p>\n Seeing an autism meltdown in an adult is a little different than one in a child. But it\u2019s often confusing. And I am so proud of Eva for explaining what was going on, and why she had been screaming. Often, when kids have autism meltdowns, people assume it\u2019s a temper tantrum. But the disregulation shows up when you give the child what they were asking for, and the tears don\u2019t stop. They have tipped over the edge and need help to come back down from the overwhelm that envelopes their system.<\/p>\nRegulating<\/h2>\n
Watch the scene on Surivor\u2019s YouTube Channel.<\/h4>\n