Abstract

Meltdowns among children with special needs represent complex emotional and behavioral challenges for caregivers, specifically within residential child care settings where constant supervision and individualized responses are needed. This phenomenological study described the lived experiences of caregivers in managing meltdowns among children with special needs in a residential child care facility. Six (6) caregivers were selected through purposive sampling and participated in semi-structured interviews to provide in-depth accounts of their experiences. Analysis revealed that caregivers’ experiences revolved around four major themes: the nature of meltdowns, triggers influencing conditions, caregiver management strategies, and emotional impact and support systems. Caregivers conceptualized meltdowns not as deliberate acts of defiance but as manifestations of emotional overload influenced by environmental, sensory, and interpersonal factors. Their experiences highlight the need for adaptive strategies founded on empathy, patience, and consistency, while also revealing the significant emotional labor involved in caregiving. These findings offer meaningful implications for caregivers, residential care administrators, special education practitioners, and policymakers in strengthening training, support systems, and caregiving approaches for children with special needs in residential settings.