Tantrum or Sensory Meltdown: 10 Keys To Calming Your Autism Child

Dealing with temper tantrums, can be both physically and emotionally exhausting, but it is important that we exercise restraint and patience when addressing the behavior. Let us stop for a moment and think… During kicking, screaming and downright frustration, what are our children trying to communicate to us during a temper tantrum? A temper tantrum could mean that your child is tired, sleepy, hungry, or uncomfortable; or it could mean they want something, they can’t have at that moment i.e an object or your undivided attention. Usually by the time a child is nine years old, they should have developed the appropriate language skills to express their feelings, wants and needs.

Something that is important to consider is where the child is developmentally. A child that is developmentally delayed may lack the appropriate communication, negotiating and problem solving skills relative to their age. In addition, some of these skills are more difficult for children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or children on the autism spectrum. In addition, please note that children with SPD may display tantrums, simply because they’re trying to process their environment and all of the sensory input that they are receiving all at once.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition that exists when multisensory integration is not adequately processed in order to provide appropriate responses to the demands of the environment.

When addressing the tantrum, we must be mindful about giving in to the demands of our children in order to end the tantrum, by doing so you are inadvertently reinforcing that behavior. So how do we appropriately address tantrums?

• The tone of voice and body language are important… Never stand over your child as it can be perceived as an act of intimidation.
• Do not lose your temper
• Remove your child from the situation (if In public)
• Remove possible triggers
• Remain calm
• Use noise cancelling headphones(when appropriate)
• Try to figure out the source of the behavior
• Provide sensory input when appropriate(Consult your Occupational Therapist)
• Balance correction with love
• Talk it through on a level your child can understand