Tempers and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Roots and Strategies for Management
In the world of childhood development, tantrums are a common occurrence. However, for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), these outbursts can be more frequent and potentially more aggressive or defiant.
The root causes of these tantrums are often linked to the unique challenges faced by children with ADHD. Difficulty with transitions, sensory overload, frustration, impulsivity, low frustration tolerance, hunger or fatigue, and information overload can overwhelm the child’s brain, leading to emotional outbursts or tantrums.
Transitions, such as leaving a fun activity or turning off the TV, can be major triggers for children with ADHD. Their brains struggle to shift attention and activities smoothly, making transitions particularly challenging.
Sensory overload, caused by excessive noise, bright lights, or uncomfortable clothing, can lead to overwhelming feelings that result in tantrums or meltdowns.
Frustration and inability to regulate emotions build pressure internally, often depicted as a “volcano” model where emotional triggers accumulate and then erupt as tantrums.
Impulsivity and low inhibition common in ADHD lead children to act without thinking, become easily agitated, and have difficulty managing anger, which increases the likelihood of tantrums.
Physiological factors such as hunger and fatigue also reduce the child’s ability to self-regulate, making tantrums more frequent. Information overload and lack of sufficient physical activity or nature exposure can worsen emotional regulation.
It's important to note that while tantrums are a normal behaviour for young children, they are not a symptom of ADHD. Tantrums can begin as early as 12 months and can continue until the age of 5 years old.
When dealing with a tantrum, caregivers should show the child how to behave, repeat the rules, take care of their needs, distract the child, ignore the tantrum if it is being used to change or manipulate adult behavior, and avoid punishing the child after the tantrum ends.
In addition, certain medications may help with ADHD symptoms or related complications. However, doctors should weigh up the risks of prescribing medications in children under 6 years old with the risks of delaying treatment.
School accommodations, such as allowing extra time to complete assignments or giving out less homework, can also help students with ADHD.
Behavioural therapy, which teaches children skills they can use to manage hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattention, may benefit older children with ADHD.
Parent training can help caregivers understand ADHD, its impact on child development, and specific skills for managing ADHD-related behaviours.
Positive parenting, which focuses on the beneficial qualities and behaviours in a child, was associated with fewer behavioural problems in children with ADHD. Inconsistent discipline, on the other hand, was the one most reliably associated with ADHD symptoms.
If a child's behaviour is causing disruption and is outside the norm for their age, seeking help from an understanding and knowledgeable pediatrician is important. Getting an ADHD diagnosis can allow parents and caregivers to access support, training, or medications, depending on the situation.
[1] Goldstein, T. R., & Schwebach, P. D. (2018). Helping Your Child with ADHD: A Guide for Parents, Families, and Caregivers. American Psychological Association.
[2] Barkley, R. A. (2013). Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents. Guilford Press.
[4] Hinshaw, S. P. (2010). The ADHD Explosion: Myths, Medication, Money, and Today's Push for Performance. Penguin.
- For caregivers managing a child with ADHD, understanding the root causes of tantrums is crucial, as these outbursts can be more frequent and potentially more aggressive or defiant, often stemming from difficulties with transitions, sensory overload, frustration, impulsivity, low frustration tolerance, hunger or fatigue, and information overload.
- To mitigate tantrums in children with ADHD, caregivers should employ strategies such as showing the child how to behave, repeating the rules, taking care of their needs, distracting the child, ignoring the tantrum if it is being used to change or manipulate adult behavior, and avoiding punishing the child after the tantrum ends.
- In addition to caregiver strategies, medications like those produced by Pfizer may help with ADHD symptoms or related complications, but doctors should carefully weigh the risks and benefits before prescribing them to children under 6 years old.
- Meaningful interventions for children with ADHD extend beyond medications; school accommodations, behavioral therapy, parent training, and positive parenting practices can all contribute to improved child and adolescent mental health, leading to a more balanced and healthy lifestyle for both the child and their caregiver.
