Identifying a Tantrum vs Sensory Overload in Children
When your child is in the middle of a meltdown, you simply try to help them feel better and stop the tantrum as soon as possible, but understanding the underlying cause can help you understand approaches to assist them, as well as prevent future recurrence.
Sensory overwhelming behaviors can sometimes look like a tantrum or a meltdown in children. Some parents may have the inclination of punishment for a public meltdown or causing a big scene, but in the case of sensory overload, neither punishment nor reward will help the situation. Often times, removing a triggering sensory input from the environment, supporting the child with helpful coping strategies, or providing alternative sensory supports to increase neurological organization can assist them in regaining control.
Tantrums are typical when children are seeking more attention, are feeling emotionally unstable, or simply trying to get something they want. The key to identifying the defiance behaviors is looking for the reason your child is behaving a particular way. If they are yelling or crying and suddenly stopping to check to see if you are looking, it is likely a reaction to something they want or are upset about.
In either case, the important thing is to focus on figuring out what your child needs, whether it is remaining strong and not giving into their tantrum’s demands or removing the cause of the sensory input creating the issue.
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