tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post3034876456761792676..comments2023-09-17T04:34:33.856-07:00Comments on My ASD Child: Tantrums and Meltdowns in Kids with Autism Spectrum DisordersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-76639281873439777342018-04-23T15:52:26.053-07:002018-04-23T15:52:26.053-07:00I am a babysitter to this family. It is obvious th...I am a babysitter to this family. It is obvious their 2 year old son has autism but they seem to simultaneously be in denial while also being completely overwhelmed by him. When he does not get his way, he throws himself down on the ground and whines or screams so they almost always let him have his way. I've slowly weaned him from his tantrums by not giving in to them but I am stumped as to how to encourage him to throw away his plate and cup after snacks. A friend of mine said to let him get used to routine but honestly speaking, it's been months and he still has not shown any interest in doing that chore (and which kid would?). I've been trying to encourage him by picking up the toy he's playing with and carrying it over to the trash can and not giving it back until he throws his stuff away. I'm not sure this is the best method as he always screams bloody murder and lies there and doesn't seem to make the connection between the chore and the reward of the toy. Would love any advice.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18270387975116918287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-28055661710453220792016-11-10T14:39:31.374-08:002016-11-10T14:39:31.374-08:00U never know my son was just like that at that age...U never know my son was just like that at that age. His teachers would say hes soo good an smart. Now hes 8yrs old an his behaviors worse still throws fits, his teachers are constantly complaining about him, he sees the school therapist twice a week an jas been put on contracts to track how he does each day. Still very bad.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04807894790352277705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-20901174323401550342016-09-25T21:48:29.811-07:002016-09-25T21:48:29.811-07:00I totally understand where you're coming from ...I totally understand where you're coming from as my 6yr old was diagnosed with ADHD/ODD.My 11yr old has ADHD and is polar opposite of my 6yr old. My husband and I have known since he was about 4 something just isn't rt. The drs just will not listen. I took it upon myself to make him an appt for an ASD evaluation on Oct 3rd. I've been documenting everything. I don't know where your from but if I were you I would start calling ASD specialists and document everything symptoms, meltdowns, etc. As to the other lady nothing wrong with smacking your child on her bottom. Us moms know our children if the drs won't listen find a new one and dont give up. We're our child's best advocate!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09116938704791793113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-71424649356722737652016-08-30T11:27:33.889-07:002016-08-30T11:27:33.889-07:00It's such a relief to see I'm not alone. B...It's such a relief to see I'm not alone. Between my husband and I we 5 kids, his oldest son who is 10 has been dx with ADHD and selective mutisum and OCD . We strongly feel he has aspergers cause he has all the symptoms. I don't know how to deal with his tantrums and meltdowns anymore. He gets extremely hyper first thing in the morning which he ends up hurting the other kids, he doesn't listen to us and when we try to talk to him he screams, kicks, etc. When we try and put him time out or tell him to go to his room to calm down he grunts at us and curls up in a ball and says no. He torments his younger brother and put s other kids in unsafe situation at times. He chews on all his clothes and gets a grease if the kids try to take certain toys that he wants. Does anyone know where to look for resources? I don't feel his therapist is helping, since my step son isn't very verbal at all. Mama4lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07472391597813573793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-91504715722569854152015-10-20T13:44:39.475-07:002015-10-20T13:44:39.475-07:00I have a 8 yr old son who is slightly autistic. I ...I have a 8 yr old son who is slightly autistic. I am so glad I came across this article and read everyone's comments. My son just recently started having major meltdowns last week and i had no idea why. Its mostly at night when it is time for bed. He will scream at the top of his lungs cover his ears and hit me call me stupid tell me to shut up and hit the wall, really hit everything around him and this goes on for hours. I have tried everything that I can think and it is getting to the point of my sanity. until now I had not idea about the laughing fits. He has them a few times a month he will just start laughing for no reason at all we will be in the car driving and he will just start laughing for no reason at all. My son has alot of medical problems he has Heart Disease and has had several open heart surgery's, he has epilepsy and seizures were getting worse he would turn blue and barley breathing we have spent days in the hospital because of it. He is now on Depakine which is finally helping with the seizures but one of the side effects is liver damage and because of that he takes Carnitor to keep his ammonia levels down. We are always getting his blood work done. he has been very unusually tired lately so he just had his blood work done again and now we are waiting on the results. Maybe I am seeing these meltdowns now because he is so tired all of the time and now it is happening during the day. I have been homeschooling him for over a year now because his seizures were getting so bad. I have a call into his Neurologist hoping to get some help because at this point we both need it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02286174192557435995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-19146406375152781262015-10-01T21:41:38.440-07:002015-10-01T21:41:38.440-07:00My 4 year old has these "fits" and no on...My 4 year old has these "fits" and no one fit is ever the same. The other day we got in the van to go to the store. I buckled him in and shut the door. He was fine and laughing. By the time I had gone around and got in the passenger side he was crying uncontrollably and I couldn't figure out why. We got to the store and he just continued. I tried to comfort him, offered him a cookie even but he just wouldn't stop. He kept his arms up over his head the whole time. Refused to walk stand or anything. He does this often and for hrs. Once he stops he just seems exhausted. Then there's the "fit" where he screams continually and hits and kicks and hurts himself. He hits you if you come near him. Won't listen if you try to reason with him and won't let you move him. I try to give him his space as I've come to realize over the last year consoling him punishing him or otherwise nothing works. But I'm concerned because he looks like we beat him by the bruises and such he has inflicted on himself by thrashing around for hrs. I tried to restrain him a couple times during and it seems to make it worse. After which he also seems exhausted. Then there's the scattered screaming "fits" where he will throw himself down and scream in short shrill blurts and hit the ground. This seems more like a tantrum than the rest but even these last for hrs and the only thing that I've got to work here is I get down and hold him/restrain him and tell him continuasly that he is safe. He is okay. Calm down. I've got him. Eventually he will relax and actually cuddle back and just sob. Then there is the giggle "fit". Sometimes in the middle of one of the other episodes and then he returns to the episode. But tonight, he wouldn't lay down for bed I told him it was time for bed and he kept trying to climb on his sister and she was obviously not enjoying this behavior asking him several times to stop and he wouldn't he just kept giggling and aggressively" bulldozing" into her. He does this often not just to her but even to me. I am at a loss of what to do and as to why he behaves in the manner that he does. They said he has good days at school but then they said he has days just like at home. He's uncontrollable with fit after fit. It is draining physically and emotionally on me. I'm starting to cry when they come on because I just feel so helpless. Throughout all this going on right now I'm also pregnant and honestly worried that in trying to help my son through these fits, particularly the more aggressive ones, I'm putting my unborn at risk. Jacindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052153057071358176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-88820886855405750082015-09-06T00:37:03.824-07:002015-09-06T00:37:03.824-07:00I am the father of a 4 year old boy on the spectru...I am the father of a 4 year old boy on the spectrum. Over the past 2 months, his meltdowns have become much more frequent and uncontrollable - usually onset by someone trying to help him to do something because he is taking forever to do something and/or he thinks someone is talking in a mean way to him. None of which preceeded the meltdown. He usually asks us to all leave the room we're in and even if we do, he won't stop the meltdown. Frustrated and helpless...pphothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564039488584397831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-65444706856945352732015-03-09T03:04:54.209-07:002015-03-09T03:04:54.209-07:00Continued) My son is 3 years old he doesn't sp...Continued) My son is 3 years old he doesn't speak, he has his own language and will speak only if he's . So here's some pointers for some of you with the same issues.Fact is my son is smart, I spoil him so He is choosing not to speak, he absolutely can but I do not give him a opportunity to ask for things I am usually already tending to anything he needs before he asks or even has a chance to. I was the same way my dad spoiled me. And I know this because : when he throws tantrums which is rare because I do not let it go the there unless I'm tired and worn out but when he does he hurts himself and my mother who usually helps me with him and all of a sudden he can speak and tell me how he feels in a fit of rage he will talk. He has trigger words which I forbit anyone to say to him so I don't have to deal with the melt downs. So pay attention to words you say and the way they act. Its sort of sensory. Like when anyone says my name period I have a feeling of irritation and immediately my attention is on and it gives me anxiety. My son is the same way. Other times if I call him by his name he wont respond. He hears me that's not the problem its a problem of where his attention is at the time, and if he feels the way my tone was deserves attention or not. If your child doesn't respond to there name don't speak to your child for about 5 mins as they are playing then try saying there name in a low voice not loud but excited like you have to show them something and see what happens. They hear you its more like a (if its important they will say my name a couple more times then maybe I'll respond or hopefully they'll give up and leave me alone) The problem is we are smarter than normal we understand human communication and emotions better than others everything is predictive and boring and we usually find ourselfs more fascinating and would like to be left alone rather than deal with others. A huge issue is our minds are constantly working so when its time to sleep we usually can't .. And if u lose sleep your nerves are very sensitive. (Your alone thinking in a room very dark all night because your supposed to be sleeping and all of a sudden the sun is coming up and your family is waking up making noises getting ready for the day and it's nerve racking) sleep is a main issue I deal with my son. He will some times stay awake for 24 hours. He's a picky eater and I feed him what hell eat which is usually junk and it messes with his sleep.. I've tried everything no ones understands it. You can't keep a child awake during the day so hell sleep at night if your a single parent. Its impossible. My life sucks because of asd I don't have a job because I will not stick my son in daycare until he can speak complete sentences. I have little help with my non sleeping son and no income. I barely make it with my online business I have so I can raise my child at home. Its horrible but I will not trade my sob for the world. I'm writing on here to try to shed some light on the disability that's impossible to really understand. My pointer is this; if your online looking for information to understand ASD more don't read the doctors notes or someone who's only studied it for information read and watch videos about people who are now adults who have lived in your child's shoes to help you better understand this problem we all are dealing with. Your child isn't a problem they are extremely smart and that's the problem.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15415116162166931570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-58866866572694904582015-02-01T10:39:28.543-08:002015-02-01T10:39:28.543-08:00I recently had to move in with my father in law &a...I recently had to move in with my father in law & younger brother in law & over the past week saw the behavior of my brother in law.<br />This article just verified EVERYTHING I suspected with him. As it's a constant battle every day with him after school to put his things away & to keep him off of the computer. If there's an internet issue the boy who is only 8 will scream bloody murder throw himself on the floor & freak out.<br />He even does this to his father.<br />Lot's of parts of this article even my older brother in law & my husband have both been victims of blackmail by my younger brother in law.<br />Because of simply doing basic things like putting his back pack on his bed.<br />He is constantly screaming & yelling at the top of his lungs.<br />Sad part is my father in law wont listen to us when we try to tell him he could get help for him. <br />My younger brother in law throws not only himself on the floor but has chucked electronics across the room if he doesn't get his way or if it stops working. Even if the batteries die.<br />I personally never had siblings growing up but now I feel bad for my husband & older brother in law's for having to put up with this for years.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11088123636837802363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-80204147763650068612015-01-31T09:12:15.992-08:002015-01-31T09:12:15.992-08:00Alot of therapy at very young age will help out ha...Alot of therapy at very young age will help out has helped my son before I got him therapy he was mean bite kick throw now he just crys when kids are mean and walks away not using his words and when he gets stuff wrong on papersAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09452309802247254227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-13201327861384530152014-10-27T22:26:31.375-07:002014-10-27T22:26:31.375-07:00I hope the parent who was unsure of a diagnosis fo...I hope the parent who was unsure of a diagnosis for her daughter was able to get a diagnosis. We had no clue my son had an issue, though we did know his tantrums were out of control. We had a tough time keeping control of ourselves at times, and I really struggled to keep from losing my own temper. I occasionally regretted how I handled the situation.<br /><br />After he got a fever one day, he had such bad, frequent body jerks, I was very concerned. This lead us to get a diagnosis from the doctor of Tourette's Syndrome. After the diagnosis we still had other issues besides tics, like our son not following through with simple directions, getting distracted easily, not responding quickly, and over-reacting to stimuli or instructions, not to mention the frequent bad moods and outbursts. I know that God knew we were at the end of ourselves and didn't know what to do. A woman, in an unexpected conversation, suggested I get my son tested for autism, which I thought wasn't necessary. To make a long story short, he was diagnosed a year later with ASD. It is likely Asperger's and he is an angel at school and at church. He melts down at home, and many people don't seem to think he really has any issue at all. I can sympathize with the at-home revelation of ASD or other behaviors and the frustration of no one being supportive since they can't see it in public.<br /><br />Don't be afraid to get testing. I think it helps so much to understand your child and have a compassion for them when you understand a little more why they do what they do. It's not bad parenting. Every human being is made uniquely and wonderfully, and your child is no different. Our kids operate differently, but it's cool to see how they operate once we understand how they were created. Hope all goes well!Questhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05247766453718205572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-59365873341389207652014-05-16T11:41:52.987-07:002014-05-16T11:41:52.987-07:00Hey I have a 7 year old girl who has pdd she has h...Hey I have a 7 year old girl who has pdd she has had issues seen she was 1 1/2 years old. From speech to tantrums or breakdowns. It's not easy sometimes I feel it's easier to let some go as to pick your battles you know not making every little thing a No and just let some things slide. I know that it might seem like letting them getting away with it but no you are being the better person on not letting every little thing get to you. But when something dose bother you or needs to be taking seriously then stand your ground. I know am not a perfect mom or nothing close but i still deal with tantrums and melt downs still with my daughter. Like she was doing really well and then one day it was back to her old ways. Smallest thing of change or a big thing of change even if they don't reacted right away to it dose bother them at some point. I know feeding and bed time are now owner biggest battle again but in hopes of looking at this reading from others tried gives me hope that I can keep trying and not feel like am failing at this. So I give any parent who deals with a child with a disability is a strong person and deserves credit for giving there all. Sometimes all it takes is reading or talking to others to keep you on track. Cause it's not easy being a parent dealing with a needed child but we as parents make it work the best we can. So thank you parents for posting and giving me different ways to help me out. HeartfulMotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05557886735836030917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-24444167500539793222014-04-25T19:01:23.588-07:002014-04-25T19:01:23.588-07:00My 3 yo son was diagnosed with ASD and Sensory Pr...My 3 yo son was diagnosed with ASD and Sensory Processing Disorder. We endure the same meltdowns and tantrums on a daily basis. I have noticed some of his triggers and try hard to stay away from them, but sometimes its impossible. I have 2 other children and my oldest son has ADHD. You can just imagine what its like in my home 75% of the time. Jack has to wear a safety harness whenever we are in public because of his wandering. He doesn't like it so there are always meltdowns at the grocery store. I can't take him to his brothers tball games because of the sensory overload of all the people and yhe loud noises. He just has meltdown after meltdown so its not worth it. He doesn't understand when you say something like " jack you can have a snack after naptime" his response is "I can have one tomorrow? " I don't know if any other moms struggle with this, but I will tell him something & he response almost every time with a question or answers me in question form, unless its a yes or no. He doesn't understand you wear shorts in the summer & pants when its cold. Hed wear snowboots when it's 100 degrees if you'd let him ( and I probably would to avoid a meltdown) yes he has tics and quirks & ton of meltdowns, but I love him! I'm def going to try more visual aide with him. Reward good behavior is something my husband and I believe strongly in & it seems to help. Hope ya'll find some relief, believe me I know how ya feel!ProudAutismMommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07752255571001605727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-27688038363467947432014-01-21T09:05:50.731-08:002014-01-21T09:05:50.731-08:00I have a 6 year old boy that has just been diagnos...I have a 6 year old boy that has just been diagnosed with PDD-NOS. This is the first time I have ever commented on a blog. I'm doing so because your comments have been so encouraging. I've felt so alone. My son has terrible meltdowns that include hitting us and constantly telling me I'm not in charge and he's going to punch me in the face. I have always felt like a good parent, till now. I have spanked in the past and now see clearly that this is not the thing to do. I'm regrouping mentally and planning to ignore the next tantrum, reward good behavior, and try the first/then list.PVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04631501368079090684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-51906416523992199502014-01-16T21:28:26.945-08:002014-01-16T21:28:26.945-08:00Reading these post are so helpful.I have an almost...Reading these post are so helpful.I have an almost 7 year old boy who not only hits, kicks, and screams during a meltdown.He screams obscenities. We just endured a 30 minute meltdown tonight because I wouldn't allow him to play his DS game to go to bed. I agree that you have to let it run its course but knowing this doesn't make any easier.I think its time I seek out a support group for parents because I really feel at a loss sometimes.People who have no experience with ASD kids haven't a clue what a toll it can take on your day to day lives. Thank you everyone for sharing. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09201038813612110815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-32851804385095950362013-12-14T06:56:08.021-08:002013-12-14T06:56:08.021-08:00Shame on those of you who blamed the mother who sl...Shame on those of you who blamed the mother who slapped her daughter on the bottom. Obviously, you have never lived the nightmare of parenting a child with chronic meltdowns. I worked for many years a school psychologist and now as work as a classroom teacher. I too lost it with my daughter when she was a preschooler. ANYONE who lives under the stress of this kind of parenting can reach their breaking point. My daughter never had a meltdown at school. She worked hard and held it together and then unleashed when she got home. This is very common in atypical kids, and should never be used as justification to blame parents. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03234046644473605832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-12453288271989374332013-11-11T08:09:44.154-08:002013-11-11T08:09:44.154-08:00Two of my children have these types of tantrums an...Two of my children have these types of tantrums and all of these sensory issues mentioned as well as receptive and expressive language disorders and cognitive delays. But NO diagnosis of ASD?! It's not that I want my children to have ASD it's just that I want a diagnosis and treatment the treats my WHOLE child not just bits and pieces. If you add up all of these pieces how does it not equal ASD? Anyone else out there have/had similar problems?Wobbling Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606291061649151734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-44851027841552138252013-09-10T18:12:49.483-07:002013-09-10T18:12:49.483-07:00My son has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS. He had the...My son has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS. He had the fits, the sensory issues, all of it. He got much better with therapy and went from special Ed to a mainstreamed classroom. He is almost 7 now and we have a new problem. The laughing fits, as they are put in this article. Burping at church, fart noises in class, he is silly all day long. He CANNOT stop. We have tried everything. He is very disruptive. How do we teach him to act appropriately in these situations? Any advice for us?Nikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05832614974579578412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-52947671534582895522013-09-10T18:08:22.952-07:002013-09-10T18:08:22.952-07:00My son is 6. He is diagnosed with PDD-NOS. he did ...My son is 6. He is diagnosed with PDD-NOS. he did everything portrayed here and it got much better with therapy, first/then cards.. We took autism parenting classes. He did great with it all and now we have a new problem that we just can't seem to help him with. His problem is the laughing fits, as it is put here. He is very silly at inappropriate times. Burping in church, fart noises in his arm, silly faces etc. these sound like normal boy behaviors on paper, but when he CANNOT stop them.. He is silly all day every day. It is beyond a problem. He is disrupting class.. Any advice for us? How do we teach him that he can't portray these behaviors all the time? Nikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05832614974579578412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-26937756422048415502013-07-31T19:50:14.412-07:002013-07-31T19:50:14.412-07:00My son is 11 and has ASD.
Last night we endured ...My son is 11 and has ASD. <br /><br />Last night we endured a 2 hour tantrum because we would not let him have mini-doughnuts an hour after he went to bed. <br /><br />It feels impossible to deal with. @FlabbergastedMahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16160961323860276113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-11541189523588254572012-12-03T13:20:01.619-08:002012-12-03T13:20:01.619-08:00I have a 4 year old that is good as gold at home, ...I have a 4 year old that is good as gold at home, she challenges bedtime occasionally but that's as bad as it gets! However at school in the foundation year she regularly has meltdowns and they are unable to control or contain her screaming tantrums! They have suggested that they believe she has some condition??? I thought any disorder would be apparent in the whole of a childs life, not just school???Sarahchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08209513109574811743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-26566861732709394302012-09-01T12:42:01.846-07:002012-09-01T12:42:01.846-07:00Obviously the last two commenters haven't had ...Obviously the last two commenters haven't had a child like this. My daughter now 13 still has meltdowns or tantrums and I can assure you, I have good parenting skills, got 23 years under my belt. My daughter has continually been defiant and disobedient since at least 3. I suppose I'm a strong person as only now I'm questioning if she may have ASD as I'm told her behaviour is very common in children on the spectrum. I have always had boundaries and consequences. I have always used positive praise when she's good. NOTHING changes. I don't smack her as I feel it doesn't deal long term but I also don't disagree with it. Depends on the circumstances. So before the parents of children who have normal 'spoilt brat' rages criticise us parents of these extremely defiant children, walk a mile in our shoes before you post insensitive, unhelpful comments as you obviously have no idea what this situation is like.<br />P.s. I was smacked as a child, I have no anger issues with either my parents or people in general.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-20459895376699306332012-08-22T01:41:23.980-07:002012-08-22T01:41:23.980-07:00Stop slapping, listen to what the school does to d...Stop slapping, listen to what the school does to deal with behaviour. You're just encouraging bad reactions.<br />I don't believe your child. Has aspergers as the article says Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-60173433119017423142012-08-22T01:40:01.755-07:002012-08-22T01:40:01.755-07:00Anonymous with the screaming 4 year old; smacking ...Anonymous with the screaming 4 year old; smacking your child isn't going to help<br />Anything, she is learning that it's ok to hit just as you hit when you are unhappy with her behaviour. Stop the smacking and after a tantrum explain why we don't scream, kick etc. smacking removes any explanation to the child and just teaches that<br />Mummy has lost control. It's old fashioned and doesn't work it just creates anger issues and doesn't teach about the real issue. At school she doesn't get smacked, thus good behaviour!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527055659904040434.post-14730736088394477412012-07-10T08:40:25.212-07:002012-07-10T08:40:25.212-07:00I have a very similar problem with our 3 and a hal...I have a very similar problem with our 3 and a half year old boy! IAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com