Sensory Overload Meltdown or Tantrum?
Sensory Overload Meltdown or Tantrum?
Meltdown or Tantrum?
Many people may think that a child experiencing a sensory overload meltdown is just a child having a tantrum. While sensory overload meltdowns and tantrums can look similar, they are very different from each other, and knowing how to tell the difference AND knowing what you can do can help support not only the child, but gives you a better sense of control when you have a plan (and back-up plan B) ready to use.
What is a Tantrum?
In general, a tantrum happens when your child wants something, and they want it right then, or they do not want to do something (anything) that you want or need them to do. It does not really matter what that “something” is, as it is quite typical for toddlers and pre-school aged children to display this kind of behavior.
Kids at that age do not yet know how to express themselves well and may get angry and frustrated easily. As they get a bit older they may still find it difficult to keep their emotions in line and express themselves, their needs, wants, and thoughts, in a calmer, more easily acceptable manner.
Tantrums can happen because they did not get a toy they wanted, they didn’t get to go to the fast food place, they have to have water instead of soda, they think someone else is getting more attention than them, they want to go home but don’t want to leave where they are – tantrums can be for any and all reasons!
A key point however, is that your child has some control over their behavior, and you may find that if you are not paying their tantrum all the attention and action they are wanting, they may stop right in the middle of their tantrum to make sure you are paying attention to them. A tantrum may stop when the child feels they get what they are yelling, crying, throwing things about, or when they finally come to realize their behaviors are not getting them what they want.
Children are quick learners – if they know that a tantrum will get you to “give in” to end it, then tantrums will continue and may become more and more frequent.
What is a Sensory Overload Meltdown?
A sensory overload meltdown is not a tantrum but a reaction to feeling overwhelmed, over-stimulated, or when they cannot tolerate and regulate the sensory input that they are experiencing.
Sensory overload meltdowns can occur from too much sensory input, or specific input. Too much sensory input can overwhelm a child with sensory integration or sensory processing issues, triggering a meltdown. For some children, a tantrum may escalate into a meltdown.
Sensory overload meltdowns can occur from sounds, sights, tastes, textures, temperature, clothing irritations, changes in routine, new situations, taking a bath, too many things going on around them at once, smells, touch, and the list could go on and on. When a child is unable to adequately process too much sensory input, or specific types of input they may react with yelling, crying, hitting, running away, shutting down, and other behaviors that look just like a full-blown tantrum.
Sensory overload meltdowns are out of a child’s control. These meltdowns may stop when the child wears themselves out or a change occurs what removes or reduces the overwhelming sensory input and situation.
A Stressful Time for All
Being faced with a child having a tantrum or a sensory overload meltdown can be scary, frustrating, and very stressful. When these behaviors happen when you are out in public it seems to make the situation “feel even worse” when you are feeling other people’s eyes on you, watching you, and feeling that you are being judged or talked about.
Plan Your Strategy for Tantrums and Sensory Overload Meltdowns
There are several strategies and plans to use that may help when it comes to tantrums and sensory overload meltdowns.
