Heatwaves Can Trigger Meltdowns In Neurodivergent Kids – Here’s How Parents Can Help

With temperatures soaring across much of the UK and plenty of kids off school and spending more time at home, you might be witnessing a surge in big emotions right now.For children with autism and ADHD in particular, the boiling hot weather can trigger more meltdowns, suggested clinical psychologist Dr Selina Warlow, who is founder of The Nook Clinic.It’s thought one in 100 children in the UK have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, while 5% of UK children are thought to have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) – so a large number of kids may be impacted by the heat.Why does hot weather trigger bigger meltdowns in kids with autism and ADHD?While the blistering heat isn’t particularly enjoyable for anyone – especially kids – Dr Warlow said “neurodiverse children with sensory challenges often experience hot weather very differently”.“High temperatures can quickly overwhelm a nervous system that’s already working hard to manage everyday input,” she explained.And when you combine this heat with busy spaces, noise and changed routines, it can “push children into sensory overload”, she added. “This reduces their ability to self-regulate and what might seem like a minor irritation, can trigger a full meltdown. Responses like these aren’t behavioural, they’re neurological.”Advice for helping neurodivergent kids in the heatwaveIt’s not about avoiding experiences over the summer break, per se, but rather about creating conditions where children can feel safe, comfortable and able to join in. To help children stay regulated, Dr Warlow advises sticking to cooler times of the day for outdoor activities and offering regular shady breaks.“Having a calm, quiet space children can retreat to will be needed, as well as a ’cool-down-kit,” she said. “Include things like handheld fans, wide-brimmed hats, cooling sprays, and noise-cancelling headphones in a ready-made kit if possible.“The aim is to reduce the overall load on the child before it becomes too much to manage.”Clothing should be light and breathable, as this can make a big difference to comfort levels. Let your child choose what feels best on their skin. “Make hydration frequent and fun using colourful straws, favourite cups, or frozen water bottles,” said the psychologist.She also warned that neurodiverse children might not recognise early dehydration signs, so advises setting regular ‘drink breaks’ throughout the day.Related...I Was One Of The First People Ever In The UK To Be Diagnosed With ADHD10 Early Signs Of ADHD In Toddlers Experts Want Parents To KnowA Parent Told Me 'Everyone Seems To Have Autism These Days' – Here's What I Want Them To Know

Comments

Breaking news

Urgent recall of supermarket cheese over deadly Listeria bacteria fears

Metro

Stock Market: Up to 300 % will be dividend! An excellent opportunity to invest before August 15, this 3 giants will make you happy

about 3 hours ago

Asim Munir shows Mukesh Ambani's photo by giving India the biggest threat, intended to attack this district of Gujarat

London Journal

Comments

Similar News

This Is The Best Position To Sleep In During A Heatwave

Expert Warns Of 'Widespread Death' As UK Enters Fourth Heatwave

RSPCA's stark warning to anyone wanting to walk their dog during heatwave

UK heatwave map shows exactly where in Britain faces scorching three-day 33C heat blast

Boy dies in heatwave tragedy after being found in car as Europe blasted by heat

Doctor's important advice about keeping babies safe during heatwave

Ranvir Singh’s flattering and breezy GMB midi dress is perfect for heatwave dressing

FIREBALLS hit Spain as wildfires spark freak 'fire whirls' and reach Madrid, killing one person as Europe's heatwave hell continues

Map: Which areas of UK will see temperatures soar during fourth heatwave of the year?

Why are women affected more by heatwaves? A doctor explains

Tourists embrace new favourite pastime as heatwave scorches Paris

UK weather: Urgent health warning in five regions as heatwave hits

UK heatwave: Exact date Britain's 34C burning blast will end

Apple alert that iPhones and iPads 'may stop working' during heatwaves

Child, 4, dies on Italy holiday as heatwave sweeps Europe sparking wildfires

A load of hot air! Health officials are branded 'nanny state' after issuing two-day 'danger to life' alert for UK heatwave

Wildfire breaks out in London amid latest heatwave warning

Heatwave could cause building collapses amid UK climate change warning

All the UK hosepipe bans currently being enforced as heatwave looms

France and Spain hit by red weather warnings as Europe burns in 44C heatwave

Breaking news

Urgent recall of supermarket cheese over deadly Listeria bacteria fears

Global hunt for paedophile who fled trial after sexually assaulting girl under 13

Woman killed by falling tree branch as she ‘walked with young child in park’

How did Storm Erin get its name and what comes next in 2025?

Purple Lamborghinis seized in £7,000,000 supercar police raid

Why does 30 degrees in the UK feel like it ‘hits different’?

Woman whose ‘biohazard’ diarrhoea cancelled entire flight finally addresses what happened

Water levels are so low a theatre’s narrowboat has had to be winched from a river

Ex-PE teacher admits sexual communication with teenage girl

British tourist collapsed on a beach after being ‘spiked and robbed’ in Rio

Russians flee to shelter amid fears of ‘imminent Ukraine nuclear strike’

Wikipedia loses Online Safety Act challenge – what does it mean for the internet?

American caught smuggling £800,000 of cocaine in parmesan wheel had this excuse

This Exercise Type May Reduce Dementia Risk By 88%

Stock Market: Up to 300 % will be dividend! An excellent opportunity to invest before August 15, this 3 giants will make you happy

Asim Munir shows Mukesh Ambani's photo by giving India the biggest threat, intended to attack this district of Gujarat

Shubhman Gill received a great reward for the brilliant performance in England, ICC honors

6 balls, 1 over and a rule, know what the rule of cricket says

New clues to mysterious extinct & ancient ‘Hobbit’ humans that roamed earth 1 million years ago uncovered by scientists

Firefighters come dangerously close to wildfires as they tear through northwestern Spain

South Korean court orders arrest of wife of jailed ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol

Philippines blames China for South China Sea collision in disputed waters

New satellites in space to ‘save lives’ by giving early warnings on heatwaves and extreme weather

CDC shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Georgia investigators say

Delete your old emails to save water during drought, Environment Agency tells Britons

Bolt of lighting hits transformer by busy highway causing huge fireball in dramatic footage

NewsNation anchor flips out when Trump critic Mehdi Hasan invokes Jan. 6 and cuts off interview

Man tried to smuggle hundreds of turtles inside socks out of the US

Soaring demand at food banks across Africa thanks to massive aid cuts

Tuesday is World Elephant Day. 5 things to know about the world's largest land mammals

Killing Palestinian journalists in Gaza renders the world blind - what is Israel so afraid of?

Lithuania to teach thousands, including schoolchildren, how to build and pilot drones

Uvalde County leaders release video, records showing response to school shooting that left 21 dead

From 'Bodies' to new albums, allow Offset and JID to reintroduce themselves

Gang dubbed ‘three musketeers’ chased dog walker and stabbed him to death, court hears

Palestinian ambassador calls for media to enter Gaza hours before Al Jazeera reporters killed

Council seeks High Court ban on asylum seekers being housed at protest-hit Epping hotel

Trump’s Alaskan summit with Putin is high stakes - Why is it not just a sideshow?

Shoplifters brazenly walk out of pharmacies with medical supplies in shocking CCTV

JD Vance claims Kamala Harris snubbed White House olive branch gesture

Notting Hill Carnival should be ticketed to avoid Hillsborough-scale disaster, Tories say

Anas al-Sharif: Who was the Al Jazeera journalist killed by Israel?

Jordan, Syria, and US officials discuss Syria's reconstruction after deadly clashes

Lawyers flag ‘scandalous’ issues as DWP pays out £452 million in compensation

Falkirk playpark in memory of young police officer opened by family

Chaos at funeral procession as horse crashes head first into car

Changes to Lothian Country bus services welcomed by West Lothian Council leader

One of Scotland's worst conmen with 100 convictions strikes again on prison leave

North Lanarkshire Council honours youngsters involved in record-breaking Student Summer Placement Programme 2025

Erskine Bridge reopens after 'over-running' works cause frustration for drivers

Choke warning over fake versions of must-have toy popular with celebrities

Coatbridge great-grandmother celebrates 100th birthday

Housebuilder donates £1250 to Glenboig Development Trust as part of ongoing per-plot initiative at village development

Man picked up seagull chick and bludgeoned it against before horrific ending

Police swarm luxury estate with JD Vance reportedly making trip to Scotland

Thousands evacuated as deadly wildfires sweep Europe

Jet ski riders facing jail or £50K fine over 'disturbing' incident with dolphins