Like I mentioned above, a child going through a sensory meltdown is really going through every sensory trigger they’ve experienced all day, so they are often not even aware of what they’re doing during the meltdown. If they hit themselves, it’s truly hurting them. If they fall to the floor, they’re hitting it hard. (Plus, it’s almost always done while watching mom for a reaction)Ī child in the middle of a sensory meltdown can often lose control. They may hit themselves or things around them, but they won’t do so with enough force to do any real harm. (Related: Check out the vital steps to take with your child after a meltdown here) A Tantrum Won’t Hurt The Child, a Sensory Meltdown MightĪ child throwing a tantrum may “throw themselves” to the floor, but if you watch closely they will often catch themselves before they hit the floor and be a bit more gentle. Most sensory meltdowns are caused by a mountain of sensory overwhelm with one final trigger sending them over the edge. If a child is having a sensory meltdown triggered by being told no about a candy bar, giving in and letting them have the candy bar won’t help.īecause the candy bar was more like the tip of the iceberg. It might take a bit for the child to realize that you’re giving in and calm down from the fit they’ve worked themselves into, but they will stop and enjoy their candy bar. If a child is throwing a tantrum over a candy bar, and you give them that candy bar, the tantrum will stop. If you’re out and about, you will get mean looks from strangers, but ignore them too.Ī tantrum is only effective if it’s given enough attention to give the child their way, so don’t do it.Ī sensory meltdown, however, doesn’t care about attention.Ī child in the middle of a sensory meltdown will have no idea who is paying attention to them because they truly don’t have the energy to care.Ī Tantrum Stops if You Give In, a Sensory Meltdown Doesn’t We’ve all seen a child throwing a tantrum and taking every chance they get to watch their mom’s reaction.Ī tantrum can be fueled by the attention it receives, so many experts advise moms to ignore the child during the tantrum.Īs a mama of four, I can tell you, this works with tantrums! Ignore them. (Related: Check out the parent’s guide to understanding autism meltdowns here) A Tantrum is For Attention, a Sensory Meltdown Isn’t Their body’s fight or flight system kicks in, and when fight wins we end up with a sensory meltdown. Their brains are wired differently so that they interpret their senses differently than neurotypical people, so to them it is literally painful to endure certain situations. Tantrums are always about something they don’t like, that they want fixed.Ī sensory meltdown is caused by neurology.Ī child with sensory processing disorder or autism doesn’t choose to get overwhelmed. Their friend took their toy, so they’re mad. They wanted something and were told no, so they are going to throw a fit.
Toddlers and preschoolers throw temper tantrums because they’ve lost their temper. A Tantrum is Bad Behavior, a Sensory Meltdown is Neurological
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