I diffused a tantrum!

[Guest guest]

This is brand new for me, I’m so proud. My 4 year old daughter had her first OT session today. With the diagnosis, came a mountain of paperwork and we are starting on somewhat of a hectic schedule here… so after her 30 minutes, it was time to go home. In her little brain, that was NOT the plan. Her plan was to live until 120 in that place. I attribute my success to my ability to stay calm, because I was already trained how to handle it! she started screeching (all those people staring), refused to follow me, I walked out with my baby alone, told her, Bye, mommy is going now (oh so calmly). When I was halfway down the stairs she comes barging out with her coat in her hands, I calmly asked, want me to help you with your coat… finally we got home. She comes through the door, throws her coat on the floor and starts stomping on it, takes the door and starts banging it into the wall… I took her hand and led her to her room and said, it’s okay to cry, only in your room.

About 30 seconds later she came out, sobbing 2 decibels lower. I said, “I see that you don’t want to cry anymore. Come to the kitchen, I have so play dough for you”. She’s been playing with it ever since.

It could be that the OT opened a flood of sensory for her and she didn’t know what to do with them. It can be her issue with me changing plans that she inadvertently made in her own head. It can be that there was some spit on the carpet that I didn’t see and she did.

BestMomBrooklyn!*******"It doesn't matter what the label is, it matters what you do with it!"

[Guest guest]

HAHA! Good for you! Isn't that so true though, "it could have been spit on the carpet" LOL!! I know how that is, like anything can set them off, but I'm with you. More of MY training has come in handy especially with dealing with a calm head and demeanor. Such a beautiful life too!! I hate being angry, and what a stupid thing to be angry for (but we're still human so it's natural) when a child throws a tantrum. Good job on your accomplishment, I know how that feels and it's great! Good luck for more good days ahead! ConnieFrom: BestMomBrooklyn! <bestmombrooklyn@...>Subject:

( ) I diffused a tantrum! Date: Thursday, February 5, 2009, 5:07 PM

This is brand new for me, I’m so proud. My 4 year old daughter had her first OT session today. With the diagnosis, came a mountain of paperwork and we are starting on somewhat of a hectic schedule here… so after her 30 minutes, it was time to go home. In her little brain, that was NOT the plan. Her plan was to live until 120 in that place. I attribute my success to my ability to stay calm, because I was already trained how to handle it! she started screeching (all those people staring), refused to follow me, I walked out with my baby alone, told her, Bye, mommy is going now (oh so calmly). When I was halfway down the stairs she comes barging out with her coat in her hands, I calmly asked, want me to help you with your coat… finally we got home. She comes through the door, throws her coat on the floor and starts stomping on it, takes the door and starts banging it into the wall… I took her hand and led her to her room and said, it’s okay to cry, only in your room.

About 30 seconds later she came out, sobbing 2 decibels lower. I said, “I see that you don’t want to cry anymore. Come to the kitchen, I have so play dough for youâ€. She’s been playing with it ever since.

It could be that the OT opened a flood of sensory for her and she didn’t know what to do with them. It can be her issue with me changing plans that she inadvertently made in her own head. It can be that there was some spit on the carpet that I didn’t see and she did.

BestMomBrooklyn! *******"It doesn't matter what the label is, it matters what you do with it!"

[Guest guest]

Good for you! Most likely she just wanted to stay and play with all the neat stuff. Maybe next time give her warnings before it's time to go and the OT can do that as the session is ending too. Reassure her that she can come back next week or in two weeks, whatever the schedule is. Some kids prefer having a calendar too. My ds (now 9 yo) used to go crazy when we were running errands or doing things out and about until I realized he needed the schedule. Once we did that, he was just fine. He just needed to know what the plan was.

RoxannaYou're UniqueJust like everyone else...

( ) I diffused a tantrum!

This is brand new for me, I’m so proud. My 4 year old daughter had her first OT session today. With the diagnosis, came a mountain of paperwork and we are starting on somewhat of a hectic schedule here… so after her 30 minutes, it was time to go home. In her little brain, that was NOT the plan. Her plan was to live until 120 in that place. I attribute my success to my ability to stay calm, because I was already trained how to handle it! she started screeching (all those people staring), refused to follow me, I walked out with my baby alone, told her, Bye, mommy is going now (oh so calmly). When I was halfway down the stairs she comes barging out with her coat in her hands, I calmly asked, want me to help you with your coat… finally we got home. She comes through the door, throws her coat on the floor and starts stomping on it, takes the door and starts banging it into the wall… I took her hand and led her to her room and said, it’s okay to cry, only in your room.

About 30 seconds later she came out, sobbing 2 decibels lower. I said, “I see that you don’t want to cry anymore. Come to the kitchen, I have so play dough for you”. She’s been playing with it ever since.

It could be that the OT opened a flood of sensory for her and she didn’t know what to do with them. It can be her issue with me changing plans that she inadvertently made in her own head. It can be that there was some spit on the carpet that I didn’t see and she did.

BestMomBrooklyn!*******"It doesn't matter what the label is, it matters what you do with it!"

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[Guest guest]

I learned the hard way. Come Monday, I will make sure they know to tell her 5 minutes before, that it's ending. Thanks!

BestMomBrooklyn!*******"It doesn't matter what the label is, it matters what you do with it!"

[Guest guest]

I found that with my son a what happens next board helped him transition and prevented any confusion or misunderstandings. I had two boards, 1 with 3 velcro spots that said NOW.....Next.......Later and then I had a notebook size board that had more spaces. I got clip art of different activities and daily routines and what I couldn't find I would take a picture of. I cut them out into small squares covered them in contact paper and attached velcro to them. So he would have morning routine squares like getting dressed, brushing hair, teeth, putting on shoes, coat , eating breakfast etc. Afternoon and evening squares. He knew that he had to do all of the squares but I let him choose the order. It takes some time but soon he discovered on his own that it made more sense to get dressed before he put on his shoes and to eat and then brush his teeth, but I allowed him to discover this on his own (with a little guidance from me of course!) Like wow it look like it's hard getting those pants on with those shoes on...is it? I was simply making an observation, not telling him how to do it. So when I came back to check on him he had taken his shoes off and put his pants on. I also had free time squares that were pictures of games or activities that he like. These were all 15-30 minute activities (an egg timer that he could hold and set himself worked the best for us, we tried the microwave timer but depending on what we were doing it couldn't always be in front of him and that make a difference, he needs to be able to see how much time is left to prepare himself for the next activity)He's 7 now and we haven't used the board in over a year, we still use the egg timer and when he wants to do a free time activity he'll ask how long he has and then set his timer, the only time we have a problem is with the DS and Wii if he hasn't gotten to a save point. I hope this helps! I know for me this was life changing. If you have any questions or would like me to send you pictures please email me. Tara houstont7@...

[Guest guest]

I just had to comment on the DS and Wii comment. I absolutely agree about the SAVE SPOTS. We have had more battles about that when time is up than I care to count. I don't know why the programmers add that wonderful feature.

Way to go on your use of visual schedules!!

Lori

From: Tara Houston <houstont7@...>Subject: ( ) Re: I diffused a tantrum! Received: Sunday, February 8, 2009, 8:40 AM

I found that with my son a what happens next board helped him transition and prevented any confusion or misunderstandings. I had two boards, 1 with 3 velcro spots that said NOW.....Next. ......Later and then I had a notebook size board that had more spaces. I got clip art of different activities and daily routines and what I couldn't find I would take a picture of. I cut them out into small squares covered them in contact paper and attached velcro to them. So he would have morning routine squares like getting dressed, brushing hair, teeth, putting on shoes, coat , eating breakfast etc. Afternoon and evening squares. He knew that he had to do all of the squares but I let him choose the order. It takes some time but soon he discovered on his own that it made more sense to get dressed before he put on his shoes and to eat and then brush his teeth, but I allowed him to discover this on his own (with

a little guidance from me of course!) Like wow it look like it's hard getting those pants on with those shoes on...is it? I was simply making an observation, not telling him how to do it. So when I came back to check on him he had taken his shoes off and put his pants on. I also had free time squares that were pictures of games or activities that he like. These were all 15-30 minute activities (an egg timer that he could hold and set himself worked the best for us, we tried the microwave timer but depending on what we were doing it couldn't always be in front of him and that make a difference, he needs to be able to see how much time is left to prepare himself for the next activity)He' s 7 now and we haven't used the board in over a year, we still use the egg timer and when he wants to do a free time activity he'll ask how long he has and then set his timer, the only time we have a problem is with the DS and Wii if he hasn't gotten to a save

point. I hope this helps! I know for me this was life changing. If you have any questions or would like me to send you pictures please email me. Tara houstont7verizon (DOT) net

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