Hello,

First time parent wondering the difference between a "typical" two year old temper tantrum and an ASD related tantrum.

How do you tell the difference between terrible two's behavior or tantrums that should be concerning?


Thanks,

John

If you really wanna see a typical two in action check out the suppernanny. My son has not been labeled with autism, but he may be, and is now 4. When he tantrums he flaps his arms aggressively and swats at whatever in front of him. He also screeches like a parot. The biggest difference that concerns me is the intensity. When a typical child tantrums they do it for attention, but I fear that Kyle's motive is often pain or frustration. He just doesn't have any coping skills for what he's going through, but a typical, all out on the floor, wailing, fit often is the coping mechanism that they think will get them what they want.

My son gets a form I have to fill out every school year.. similar to the one Pediatricians hand out at each well visit. On it, it asks if a child if it takes longer than 15 minutes to calm themselves after crying/screaming/tantruming. You can check off never, sometimes, frequently, always.. you get the drift.

I'm not a first time mom, but because my other child (a girl) is different (and I'm not referring to Autism), it's hard to know what is "typical" and what isn't. I've seen plenty of kids on that Nanny show, and wow! In some ways, my son is different.. but in many ways, he's not. I do agree that coping skills have a lot to do with it, but many typical 2 yr olds can't cope, either. They're young and don't always know the appropriate way to act when they're upset about something. That's why you/we/parents need to teach them.


If it concerns you, ask a (preschool) teacher or day care provider. They've seen it all.

At age two, their temper tantrums can be kinda frightening....but follow a typical path. not much has to set them off.

Children will run around, scream and yell, pull the dog's tail, hit mom or brother, tear paper, throw things, etc. Pretty typical but upsetting for you.