Jason & Kate Wells (pictures via Twitter)

Peterborough couple Kate and Jason Wells are constantly educating the public on social media about what it's like to live with Aidan, their autistic child—and the unbelievable rollercoaster ride involved. On Saturday morning (March 7th), they live tweeted a severe meltdown and expressed the anguish of dealing with autism at its low point, and how their younger daughter Emma copes. Their raw, emotional tweets give us a first-hand look at what it's like to live through a meltdown, magnified as Aidan gets older and stronger—and harder to restrain. Here are some of those tweets...

Trust me, it's no joke when an #Autism parent has resulted to looking into learning safe MMA style takedowns
— Jason Wells (@JasonWells72) March 7, 2015

He's reached the point of being stronger than Jason&the self harm has gone to a whole new level. scariest,most heartbreaking scene #autism
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

Being afraid of your child is a very awful,unnatural feeling. #autismparent #meltdown
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

Red&i are stuck downstairs listening to the horror as Jason oversees. Not safe for me to step in anymore :( #autismparent #meltdown
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

This is reality. I'm open about the progress,but the other,darker side, needs to be talked about. Ppl rarely hear about it. #autism
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

And now I sit here feeling defeated... What feels like the absolute worst 24hrs to date since #Autism became our reality
— Jason Wells (@JasonWells72) March 7, 2015

This isn't my son. He's funny,sweet,kind&loving. He disappears when he is in a meltdown.his body is taken over,his eyes are absent #autism
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

What's worse than these horrifying meltdowns,is our dghtr is totally oblivious-just playing on her iPad l. This is her norm:( #autismsib
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

It's just not stopping.lasted for hrs last night&its looking as tho our weekend is going to be a nightmare. #autism
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

#autism parents struggle w/mental health issues-usually chronic. daily,minute by minutes stress,sleep dep&brutal meltdowns can lead 2 PTSD
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

Tweeting helps me during meltdowns for my sanity,strength,support&feeling like there's a chance I'm helping someone else feel not so alone
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

Just when you think it can't possibly get any harder,adolescence happens. We're entering the most difficult years. God help us. #autism
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

often those of us who struggle&talk openly about our experiences are seen as "whining "/"complaining". Yet,we encourage others to open up
— Kate (@aintlifeswells) March 7, 2015

Kate appeared on our show PTBOCanada Live With Mike Judson earlier this year to talk about the realities of life with an autistic child. As well, a post she wrote for us, "Living With Autism: A Wells Family Christmas", received national attention when it was picked up by AOL's ParentDish last Christmas.

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, and Like us on Faceboo k.