Defiant or Disabled? Understand Your Child’s Tantrums

When your child has a tantrum, you may assume that they are just being troublesome. However, if the tantrums are happening regularly or past a certain age, it could be a sign of a larger problem. The child could be frustrated at the world around them. Here are 5 ways to understand your child’s tantrums better.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a disorder common in children that causes them to lose focus and get restless. When forced to sit still while feeling this way, it can cause them to become extremely frustrated. They may start to get out of hand when they aren’t allowed to explore on their own. They may need additional breaks when doing something.

Communication Disorders

Some children aren’t able to communicate their feelings as well as other. They may have physical problems saying certain words. This in itself can be problematic. They may also just have a limited vocabulary or feel unheard. It’s good to help your child by getting them a speech therapist. You can also help by being patient when they try to speak. You can also make a point to stop and listen when they try to tell you something.

Autism Spectrum

Some children fall on the Autism spectrum. These children can have issues with communication like above. They may also have behavioral issues and emotional issues as well. The first step is to verify if your child is actually on the spectrum. To do this, you should go to a behavioral health clinic to get advice from the professionals.


Brain Development Delay

A tantrum can actually be a sign of a brain development problem. The brain simply might not be developing as quickly as the other children. In some cases, the child’s brain may never develop quite as much as the other children. This can cause frustration for the child.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

DMDD is a relatively new diagnosis. These children are more than just moody at times. They may have multiple tantrums a day for multiple days in a row. They may also have extremely long tantrums. This can be a sign of trouble in the future, so you want to tackle the problem right away.

If your child has a disorder causing tantrums, the first step is to get a proper diagnosis. Talk to a professional today to learn what might be causing the problem and how you can help it.

 

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She enjoys Tennis and spending time with her family.

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