My almost 4 year old (in Sept) has recently started hitting when angry/tantruming. He is on the waiting list to be assessed for autism but has very good language skills and this behaviour has only started in the last few weeks. The only change that coincides with this starting is nursery finishing for summer (which i obviously can't do anything about!) but I was wondering if change in routine was the cause.
Anyway, so far in the last few weeks he has headbutted me and his dad, punched me, slapped me and aggressively wiped snot on my hair during a tantrum. So far I've tried walking away, restraining him gently and then when he's calm explaining to him that we do not hit each other. He always apologises after and says he won't do it again but he does. Am I already doing the right thing and it will just take time to sink in/ is it a phase for this age group? Or is there something else I should be doing? I want mine and dh response to be quite consistent so don't want to go changing tactics every time this happens.
Thanks all x