12/31/2023 0 Comments Autism tantrums vs normal tantrumsIn a meltdown, the child is totally overwhelmed by not being able to manage what is happening around them. What’s the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown? A meltdown is a tantrum that escalates. If they are managed well, they will reduce. It takes consistence and persistence to manage tantrums. When behavioural principles are used correctly during a tantrum, the child is less likely to use them in the future. The tantrum doesn’t get them the chips, the tantrum doesn’t stop the noise in the swimming pool, and the swimming lesson goes ahead despite the tantrum. When behavioural principles are used correctly during a tantrum, the child learns that the tantrum doesn’t work. If you leave the pool because of the noise or because you realised Luke really doesn’t like the lesson, you have taught him that tantrums are a really good was of getting out of things he doesn’t like. If you give Luke the chips because you worked out that that was what he wanted, you have taught him that tantrums are an effective form of communication. What the adult or carer does during the tantrum determines whether the tantrum continues, escalates, or happens again. The most effective thing to do in the middle of the tantrum is to use behavioural principles so that it stops. They are long term issues that need to be supported through therapy. If a child is having a tantrum because of a sensory issue or a communication issue, you can’t solve these concerns in the middle of a tantrum. In Luke’s case, he might want the chips, or he might to avoid the noise of the swimming pool or the actual lesson itself. They want to avoid something that is happening or about to happen.They want something they can’t get at the time.However, if they persist, they become behavioural issues regardless of the initial cause.Ĭhildren have tantrums for 2 main reasons: The tantrum could be because of a sensory, behavioural, or communication issue. The tantrum is his way of avoiding the swimming lesson.Īll of these sound like perfectly reasonable explanations. She wonders if he has a tantrum when they drive into the street where the pool is because he doesn’t want to do the lesson. Mum thinks that Luke doesn’t really enjoy the swimming lesson.He has the tantrum because he can’t tell her that he wants a packet of chips. Mum thinks he might want a packet of chips every time they drive to swimming lessons now, but Luke is non-verbal. He hadn’t eaten much that day and she didn’t want him to be hungry in the swimming lesson. Mum filled up the car with petrol and bought Luke a packet of his favourite chips. Three weeks ago, they stopped at the petrol station on the way to swimming lessons.He has the tantrum because he gets overwhelmed by the sensory experience in the pool. That means the noise level in the swimming pool is much higher. The indoor swimming pool where he has his lesson is very noisy, and an extra lesson that has been added at the same time as Luke’s lesson. Mum can’t work out the reason for the tantrum, but it happens every week. Recently, he has started to have a tantrum in his car seat when they turn into the street where the swimming pool is. Luke is 4 years old and drives with his Mum to swimming lessons every Monday afternoon. So, who is correct? They are all correct explanations for the cause of the tantrum because tantrums initially start because of sensory, behavioural, or communication issues. The Speech Pathology solution is very likely to be a recommendation to work on the child’s communication. When you speak to a Speech Pathologist, they will tell you that the tantrum is a result of a communication difficulty. The psychology solution could be to start a behavioural program. When you speak to the Psychologist, they might tell you that it’s behavioural issue. The Occupational Therapy solution might be to do some sensory integration therapy. When you speak to an Occupational Therapist, they may tell you that the tantrum is due to a sensory issue. The answer to this can be very confusing for parents. They present even more challenges when children with autism are living under ‘stay at home’ orders. Tantrums are never much fun at the best of times. Is it sensory, behaviour, or communication?
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