Meltdowns, Mess-Ups, and Moments of Joy


Kai once had a meltdown over the wrong kind of spoon. That’s not being dramatic. That’s autism. The world has rules, and if one of them breaks (like chocolate sauce on ice cream), his brain can’t handle it. Meltdowns aren’t tantrums. They’re explosions. Everything builds up until the emotions have to come out, often in screaming, hitting, or shutting down.

As a dad with ADHD, I’ve had emotional meltdowns too. I snap. I cry. I spiral. My wife has dealt with this more than she should have had to. I’m loving and loyal, but my emotions overwhelm me sometimes. It took years of understanding and tools like:

  • The Pomodoro technique (25-minute focus blocks)

  • Coloured overlays to read more clearly

  • Reminders, lists, and alarms

  • Therapy and medication support

These things don’t fix you. They help you live better.

Ted, our younger son, is the rock in all this. He’s had to grow up faster in some ways, understanding why Kai is different, why I forget things, why Mum gets tired. He’s funny, patient, and deeply caring. I’m proud of him beyond words.

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