Why Your Autistic Child Runs Away During Meltdowns (Flight Response Explained + What To Do Immediately)
One second your child is there… The next, they’re gone. Running out of the room Bolting in public Trying to escape the car, store, or house And your heart drops. 👉 “Why are they running? How do I stop this?” ⚠️ HERE’S THE TRUTH Your child isn’t being defiant. They’re not ignoring you. 👉 They are in flight mode Which means: Their brain senses danger Their body is trying to escape it Their only goal is get away 🧠 WHAT “FLIGHT RESPONSE” REALLY IS Flight is one half of fight-or-flight . Instead of hitting or attacking… 👉 Your child runs. This can look like: Bolting from situations Hiding Refusing to stay in place Trying to escape environments 👉 It’s not behavior. 👉 It’s survival.) If your child sometimes runs… and other times becomes aggressive… you’re seeing both sides of the same system. 👉 Read this next: https://jamesdigregorioauthor.blogspot.com/2026/03/how-to-stop-fight-response-before-it.html?m=1 It explains why some kids fight while others flee—and how to stop escalation...