Post by mommy3 on Sept 15, 2008 3:53:19 GMT -5
Hi all.
I was searching on-line for ways to deal with meltdowns and the difference between a meltdown and temper tantrums, and I found this link. I'm am very grateful to finally find some sort of support.
I have three boys: 7, 4, & 3. My middle son was diagnosed with PDD / Autism at the age of two. Since then we have been taking him to therapy and enrolled him in schools geared toward helping him. He is now in a reverse mainstream pre-k class where he is finally doing well. We've had upstream battles but hopefully we've reached a more stable point in his life.
I am currently dealing with Michael's new behavior...tantrums. I've been trying to differentiate whether he is just having a temper tantrum or if he is having a meltdown.
For the past three days, for example he has been screaming, kicking, knocking things down, and hitting himself. This usually happens when he doesn't get some thing he wants. He has never reacted this severely before. He also gets more aggravated and upset if he hurts himself (ex: last night he started melting down and hit the door frame with his head...then he started getting more out of control because he hurt himself).
I'm wondering if perhaps he is just adapting to his new surroundings since he started a brand new school, and is dealing with many changes, from a new schedule to adapting to new teachers, eating in a school cafeteria with other children, etc.
Last year we had a very hard time placing him in school through the public school system. We fought the system all year and he ended up going to three schools in one year. This of course didn't help.
Finally we are stabilized in this new school which also happens to be where I work. His reaction to his teachers has been night and day in comparison to last year. He "wants" to go to school now. Regardless, I'm thinking that with all the changes this year, these recent meltdowns are a sign that all the changes are affecting him.
My next step is to ask his teacher tomorrow if he has had any of these meltdowns or tantrums with her (at least this severely). If not, then this is probably more of a tantrum with me at home than in school. I've even wondered if this is some attempt for attention on his part geared toward me personally. Is this wrong to assume?
If there are any words of encouragement or wisdom I appreciate them.
It is good to vent!
Blessings to all!
I was searching on-line for ways to deal with meltdowns and the difference between a meltdown and temper tantrums, and I found this link. I'm am very grateful to finally find some sort of support.
I have three boys: 7, 4, & 3. My middle son was diagnosed with PDD / Autism at the age of two. Since then we have been taking him to therapy and enrolled him in schools geared toward helping him. He is now in a reverse mainstream pre-k class where he is finally doing well. We've had upstream battles but hopefully we've reached a more stable point in his life.
I am currently dealing with Michael's new behavior...tantrums. I've been trying to differentiate whether he is just having a temper tantrum or if he is having a meltdown.
For the past three days, for example he has been screaming, kicking, knocking things down, and hitting himself. This usually happens when he doesn't get some thing he wants. He has never reacted this severely before. He also gets more aggravated and upset if he hurts himself (ex: last night he started melting down and hit the door frame with his head...then he started getting more out of control because he hurt himself).
I'm wondering if perhaps he is just adapting to his new surroundings since he started a brand new school, and is dealing with many changes, from a new schedule to adapting to new teachers, eating in a school cafeteria with other children, etc.
Last year we had a very hard time placing him in school through the public school system. We fought the system all year and he ended up going to three schools in one year. This of course didn't help.
Finally we are stabilized in this new school which also happens to be where I work. His reaction to his teachers has been night and day in comparison to last year. He "wants" to go to school now. Regardless, I'm thinking that with all the changes this year, these recent meltdowns are a sign that all the changes are affecting him.
My next step is to ask his teacher tomorrow if he has had any of these meltdowns or tantrums with her (at least this severely). If not, then this is probably more of a tantrum with me at home than in school. I've even wondered if this is some attempt for attention on his part geared toward me personally. Is this wrong to assume?
If there are any words of encouragement or wisdom I appreciate them.
It is good to vent!
Blessings to all!