You Tube Video: Help For the Angry Child
Understanding that every child is different and what works for one, may not work for another. The following information is what has helped in our situation. I think it’s helpful to consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, as well as, understanding your child’s love language. For more information either, please see the Amazon links at the bottom of this article (inexpensive purchases) or the following links: Dr. Dobson and Maslow’s Hierarchy
FIRST AND FOREMOST:
1. Safety First – Look for ways to say and show this at every turn (ex. What/how to play, crossing the street, objects in the mouth, running in the house, flashlights, first aid kits, etc). You may also want to include the concept of there being plenty of food to eat, settling that fear.
2. Look for ways to provide positive attention. This can be a challenge when it seems all you see is negative issues but keep trying.
In our situation, we volunteered to become guardians for two children in our family. One is probably what Dr. Dobson would call the “Strong Willed Child.” His high capacity drive, also naturally causes himself to be sensory starved when life is at a normal pace, which causes him to get into trouble or become easily frustrated. In contrast, going new places seems to throw him into an emotional frenzy, 5 times the normal level, where he forgets all rules and boundaries.
ACTIVITIES/TOYS/TOOLS:
1. Surround with soft sensory items by touch.
a. Soft Blankets
b. Cozy Pajamas
c. Comforting Stuffed Animals
d. Bean Bags or Soft Folding Floor Chairs.
e. Play-Doh/Modeling Clay
f. Art Activities – Finger Paint
g. Bath Sponges/Brushes – Provide multiple textures
2. Surround with soft sensory items by sound.
a. Musical or Nature Sound Mobile. Even though the kids we’ve acquired are older, they still found comfort in a musical mobile at bedtime. Rather than a full baby mobile, I purchased the music box on amazon and hung it in their room with a small ribbon, near their bed.
b. Fish Tank – the light and fish appear to sight and the sound of the water filter/bubbles helped.
3. Soft sensory items by taste. Have you ever tried to eat the following items upset?
a. Bananas
b. Noodles
c. Soup
d. Yogurt
e. Pudding/Jell-O
A note from the writer:
The information on this page is not meant to cure or diagnose nor replace any medical opinion. Please don’t hesitate to get professional medical or mental help, if you feel the need to do so for you and/or your child. Life is not perfect, but it is an interactive painting that we all get to be part of. Sometimes we can fix our issues, sometimes we can help others fix theirs and sometimes we need to find others to help us fix them. There is no shame in any of those options.
I wish you and your child well. If this information has been helpful to you or if you have any other suggestions, please leave your comments below.
For Further Information:
Free Article on Sensory Disorders: Consider Sensory Processing Disorders in the Explosive Child: Case Report and Review by Michael Cheng, MD and Jennifer Boggett-Carsjens, OT
The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.:
The 5 Love Languages of Children:
Bringing Up Boys, by Dr. James Dobson:
Poster for Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: