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6yr old very 'highly strung'

10 replies

Claire2009 · 13/06/2012 23:26

DD has always been very independent bossy from a young age, I thought as time went on she would calm a little, but if anything it is worse, she has massive tantrums at school, the supermarket, shops, home etc etc, she screams and screams and there is no calming here whatsoever, she is best left to it and then once calm (anything from 5-15ish mins) spoke to about what is acceptable and what isn't.... however....this is becoming rather draining, DS is autistic and difficult in itself without her throwing a paddy everywhere.....does anyone have any tips? Her teaceher was saying how she likes to be in control of everything and everyone, which when doesn't go her way causes the tantrums, surely by now (she was 6 in Feb) she should be realising this isn't the way?? Maybe I'l have to throw a tantrum in the supermarket (like that lady does on tv) and see how she feels?? Confused

OP posts:
TheHouseOnTheCorner · 13/06/2012 23:28

Has she been assesed for anything? How is she socially and academically?

Claire2009 · 13/06/2012 23:31

No, no assessments anywhere. Socially she is fine, plays, interacts, has an amazing imagination, her teacher has said she will go far. Academically, very good also, she is the top of her class for literacy, middle for maths... I just don't know what to do with her anymore, she's like Jekyll and Hyde, her mood can switch just like that over the simplest of things!

OP posts:
2to3 · 13/06/2012 23:45

Hi - can she articulate/describe her feelings to you after a tantrum? Do you think it could work if you told her that you don't understand what she wants when she screams, and that it would be much easier for you to help her if she could use her words? Without knowing more about you and your situation it sounds like she might be expressing deep frustration of some kind. Could she be feeling somehow sidelined because of her autistic sibling/do you expect more of her because she is older and not autistic?

Claire2009 · 14/06/2012 00:02

That is generally what we do, explain calmly that while she is screaming I cannot understand her, it works to a certain extent, but doesn't stop her from being like it, she will have another tantrum shortly after!
I don't think I expect more of her, I see what you are saying as for a long while I used to think that, but her behaviour is not great, she is either rude and abrupt, to not only me but her teachers, and other people around her, or running riot. For example, running along the chairs in a shop earlier, I got her off them and explained that was naughty, and the chairs were for people to sit on to eat, so her feet should not be on them....she screamed, threw herself on the floor yelling at me 'I promise I won't do it again' ...now if I allow her to go off again, she will do it again and laugh at me, if I hold her hand she wriggles, screams, will not stand still and will not listen to a word I say to her....so I held her hand for a few mins, she screamed, wriggled, collapsed on the floor (typical 2-3yo tantrum) and done this until we left the shop.

She can describe her feelings very well, I have always told her when she makes me happy, proud, upset etc etc, after a tantrum we have a chat, it normally goes along the lines of ;

DD : I don't like it when you hold my hand
Me : I don't like it when you are rude to me, and don't listen
DD : Ok I'm sorry
Cuddle and it's over...

She has Mummy time, without her asd brother, we also have time all together so she is not being secluded in anyway.

OP posts:
TheHouseOnTheCorner · 14/06/2012 00:10

Perhaps she's just immature in that way? My DD is in some ways...they develop at different rates.....I would reccomend martial arts as a way of helping her learn self control...very good for relaxation too.

Claire2009 · 14/06/2012 00:13

Thankyou TheHouseOnTheCorner, she does swimming lessons each week with an instructor and is able to follow instructions etc fine there, though he did try to take a float away, which she really doesn't need and she had a tantrum...but that may be due to lack of confidence in the pool as it was only her 2nd lesson.

OP posts:
NewDKmum · 14/06/2012 20:38

A friend of mine has cared for twins who were originally thought both to be autistic, but it turned out only one was, the other just copied his brother's behavior.

Could your DD be copying her brother's behaviour to some extent?

I generally go for explaining and guiding my DD's to good behaviour, but sometimes it just doesn't seem to be enough. A teacher on MN once advocated a 3-step approach which works for me:

  1. Tell her in normal tone of voice what she has to do
  2. Tell in a stern voice
  3. Pick her up and physically take her away from the situation (out of the shop etc.)

Hope it gets better for you soon!

TheHouseOnTheCorner · 14/06/2012 21:13

Swimming is great but martial arts builds physical and mental control....or kids yoga...that's amazing for highly strung children.

henrysmama2012 · 15/06/2012 00:13

Maybe she perceives her brother as getting more attention & feels like this is the way to get more attention from you?

AdventuresWithVoles · 15/06/2012 13:40

My gut feeling was attention seeking.
I have a DS who tantrums, he is anxious & easily over-whelmed which comes out as boisterousness.

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