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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Good Grief...Tantrums A Mental Disorder?? Really!??
MN Mom 12:05 PM 12-02-2012
Here's my most ridiculous item of the day :

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/coul...major-changes/
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LaLa1923 03:56 PM 12-02-2012
Originally Posted by MN Mom:
Here's my most ridiculous item of the day :

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/coul...major-changes/
Well then I have five kids that have one......lmao
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EntropyControlSpecialist 04:33 PM 12-02-2012
I've got less than a handful that throw severe temper tantrums.

I'm more upset about Asperger's being put uner the umbrella term "Autism" now. People already view me as mentally unable to do a lot of things simply because I'm an Aspie. This will only further that. I'll stick with calling myself an Aspie with no further thought to calling myself "a high functioning individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Good grief.
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SilverSabre25 06:02 PM 12-02-2012
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I've got less than a handful that throw severe temper tantrums.

I'm more upset about Asperger's being put uner the umbrella term "Autism" now. People already view me as mentally unable to do a lot of things simply because I'm an Aspie. This will only further that. I'll stick with calling myself an Aspie with no further thought to calling myself "a high functioning individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Good grief.
I thought Asperger's had always been under the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum? At least that's what I learned at university 3-4 years ago. Heck, they're even thinking of putting ADHD on the spectrum, above Asperger's in functionality.

I feel for you though; it's hard enough classifying myself as ADD and my husband as Aspie without "the uninformed" giving me/us funny looks.
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Bookworm 07:11 PM 12-02-2012
Originally Posted by LaLa1923:
Well then I have five kids that have one......lmao
If that's the case, I have about four and one of them "should be" institutionalize. Lord Jesus in Heaven. Soon, every bad behavior will be a "mental disorder" and no one will be responsible for their behavior.
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BumbleBee 09:50 PM 12-02-2012
*zipping up flame suit*

I think an important part of this is the "frequent & severe" as it applies to temper tantrums. It depends on what they consider "frequent" as well as "severe." I think they should also add "duration" to that.

I'm on my phone so I'm not going to make a big post but I don't necessarily believe they are talking about standard tantrums. Additionally, a diagnosis of this may open the door for professionals to implement behavior modification plans and guide parents who are at a loss for what to do.

The biggest issue that I see is seperating the kids who have an actual underlying issue versus the ones who get what they want if they scream long enough.

Just my 2 cents.
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Angelsj 04:57 AM 12-03-2012
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I've got less than a handful that throw severe temper tantrums.

I'm more upset about Asperger's being put uner the umbrella term "Autism" now. People already view me as mentally unable to do a lot of things simply because I'm an Aspie. This will only further that. I'll stick with calling myself an Aspie with no further thought to calling myself "a high functioning individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Good grief.
I understand what they are doing, but I agree with you. Actually, I would like to see Asperger's completely differentiated from autism. I know they all have co-mingling diagnoses, but I see Aspies as very, very different from the classic autism.
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Angelsj 04:59 AM 12-03-2012
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
I thought Asperger's had always been under the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum? At least that's what I learned at university 3-4 years ago. Heck, they're even thinking of putting ADHD on the spectrum, above Asperger's in functionality.

I feel for you though; it's hard enough classifying myself as ADD and my husband as Aspie without "the uninformed" giving me/us funny looks.
It is for now, but they have been batting this back and forth for a while now. Personally, I think it just gives someone a job. Before Asperger's was known, it was easier to say HFA and make people understand....sort of. Now that it is more well known, I would like to see it get its own attention, separate from the autism research.
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SilverSabre25 05:55 AM 12-03-2012
Originally Posted by Angelsj:
It is for now, but they have been batting this back and forth for a while now. Personally, I think it just gives someone a job. Before Asperger's was known, it was easier to say HFA and make people understand....sort of. Now that it is more well known, I would like to see it get its own attention, separate from the autism research.
This is true; I've actually thought for awhile that there are two categories of Aspie...the ones that are just quirky/almost normal until you get to know them (or have to live with them, or are married to them) and then you know that either THEY are bat**** crazy, or YOU are, or possibly both. And then there are the more severe Aspies that you just know, even without knowing them, that something is "off". They first type are very distinct from the second. I'm married to the first type, and everyone we've told so far about the Asperger's (it's a recent realization) says, "OOohhh, that makes SO MUCH sense!!!"

If I was a researcher, I would research my theory of two types of Asperger's...but I'm not a researcher, sadly.
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SilverSabre25 06:03 AM 12-03-2012
Originally Posted by Trummynme:
*zipping up flame suit*

I think an important part of this is the "frequent & severe" as it applies to temper tantrums. It depends on what they consider "frequent" as well as "severe." I think they should also add "duration" to that.

I'm on my phone so I'm not going to make a big post but I don't necessarily believe they are talking about standard tantrums. Additionally, a diagnosis of this may open the door for professionals to implement behavior modification plans and guide parents who are at a loss for what to do.

The biggest issue that I see is seperating the kids who have an actual underlying issue versus the ones who get what they want if they scream long enough.

Just my 2 cents.
Yes, I definitely agree with you that the underlying distinction is the frequency, severity, and duration. The causes of the tantrums are probably an indicator too, as well as age. No flames necessary, because the 3 year old child that throws a twenty minute fit over not getting candy or a toy at the store is probably just spoiled...but the 3 year old child that screams for twenty minutes or two hours because you put the wrong shirt on and does this five times a week or more might have an underlying issue (sensory issue in this case). Just an example there of course.

And it is important for parents, caregivers, and teachers to examine the causes and "style" (so to speak) of a given child's tantrums and see if there's a pattern there that indicates a problem. A lot of children with sensory issues and subtle mood disorders or disorders such as Asperger's get missed all through childhood because it takes a careful look at the WHOLE child through a lens of "Is there a problem?" not a lens of "Why is he so spoiled?"
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itlw8 07:17 AM 12-03-2012
after reading and listening on the news it makes sence. It seems that putting Asbergers under the Autism spectrum will mean in some states those children will get services they need that may have been denied

And the tantrum was severe tantrums 3 or 4 a day 5 days a week for 6 months or more. And a specific age range. It is being done to cut down on the amount of children who are diagnosed as Bi Polar and to instead correct the issue at hand.
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Greenplasticwateringcans 07:43 AM 12-03-2012
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
Yes, I definitely agree with you that the underlying distinction is the frequency, severity, and duration. The causes of the tantrums are probably an indicator too, as well as age. No flames necessary, because the 3 year old child that throws a twenty minute fit over not getting candy or a toy at the store is probably just spoiled...but the 3 year old child that screams for twenty minutes or two hours because you put the wrong shirt on and does this five times a week or more might have an underlying issue (sensory issue in this case). Just an example there of course.

And it is important for parents, caregivers, and teachers to examine the causes and "style" (so to speak) of a given child's tantrums and see if there's a pattern there that indicates a problem. A lot of children with sensory issues and subtle mood disorders or disorders such as Asperger's get missed all through childhood because it takes a careful look at the WHOLE child through a lens of "Is there a problem?" not a lens of "Why is he so spoiled?"
Agree!

I have fought tooth and nail against family, friends, teachers, general public who thought my child was "spoiled" or a "brat". Finally at 9 there is a sensory and Aspergers diagnosis which I am greatful falls under the Autism umbrella so we can get OT without further fuss against people.
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cheerfuldom 08:15 AM 12-03-2012
slightly OT but can anyone share with me what Aspergers might look like in an adult male? my BIL is thought to possibly have this but what are the symptoms? he has mostly relationship and social issues but functions well as far as holding a job and whatnot....except when the job and social cues collide in which case, there are occasionally issues.
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Blackcat31 08:25 AM 12-03-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
slightly OT but can anyone share with me what Aspergers might look like in an adult male? my BIL is thought to possibly have this but what are the symptoms? he has mostly relationship and social issues but functions well as far as holding a job and whatnot....except when the job and social cues collide in which case, there are occasionally issues.
http://asperger-symptoms.net/

Lots of info out there about it and NOT all people have all the symptoms but you can read the list and get the general idea.
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SilverSabre25 10:48 AM 12-03-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
slightly OT but can anyone share with me what Aspergers might look like in an adult male? my BIL is thought to possibly have this but what are the symptoms? he has mostly relationship and social issues but functions well as far as holding a job and whatnot....except when the job and social cues collide in which case, there are occasionally issues.
It's different for everyone; for my DH, the key ones are the inability to stop talking about something that interests him even if people CLEARLY don't want to hear about it, the tendency to get obsessed/intensely/passionately interested in things, lack of "getting" social cues (like when people are annoyed by something he's talking about), and a variety of major relationship difficulties that are hard to pinpoint because I sound whiny unless you know him/us hth!
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jojosmommy 10:59 AM 12-03-2012
Originally Posted by Trummynme:
*zipping up flame suit*

I think an important part of this is the "frequent & severe" as it applies to temper tantrums. It depends on what they consider "frequent" as well as "severe." I think they should also add "duration" to that.

I'm on my phone so I'm not going to make a big post but I don't necessarily believe they are talking about standard tantrums. Additionally, a diagnosis of this may open the door for professionals to implement behavior modification plans and guide parents who are at a loss for what to do.

The biggest issue that I see is seperating the kids who have an actual underlying issue versus the ones who get what they want if they scream long enough.

Just my 2 cents.
I agree with this. I had for two years a child in my care who finally recieved a diagnosis of autism based on the fact that he (at 4) would regularly have 45minute-2 hour fits over things like changes in routine, and like someone mentioned articles of clothing. He also could not talk, had regressed in many areas but MOM was finally seeking help because she understood that the tantrums of that length and severity at his age were unappropriate. She had no clue about development otherwise. So if nothing else it gives parents one more thing to clue into if they are unsure about what is typical and when to seek help if its not typical.
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Countrygal 01:31 PM 12-04-2012
JUST temper tantrums would be rediculous! But I am under the understanding that certain behaviors associated with temper tantrums can give clues to things like sensory disorders and, yes, autism or aspergers.

Severe, prolonged temper tantrums accompanied by certain behaviors I thought were something they already looked for when diagnosing some disorders.

For example, a friend of mine has a child with autism. His tantrums are not "normal". He fixates, they are extremely prolonged (hours), he cannot be distracted or coaxed out of them, even if you would give in on the original issue, and often then happen because of things that noone can even pinpoint. They are, however, accompanied by other symptoms. Obsessive/compulsive behavior, obsession with bodily emissions, incomprehension (at age 3+) of not acceptable behavior (like eating feces), and other obvious behaviors that would have anyone questioning.

I don't think that any child psychologist would say that a "temper tantrum" is a disorder. I surely hope not. I think the article was not very well written and it sounded pretty biased and weighted. But that is just IMO.
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Tags:child behavior, mental disorder, mental illness, temper tantrum
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