My son is very similar in age and behavior - very interested in electronics and video games, alot of repitious requests when he doesn't get what he wants and occassional tantrums.

I saw the earlier post about ABA. My son gets some ABA (but not textbook ABA) and it helps but what we have found is the trick (whether its an dABA provider or us as his parents) is balancing non-preferred vs preferred tasks. Rather than taking away video games, he now understands that he will get some (limited...maybe 15-30 minutes) games IF he performs a non-preferred task like writing letters or other school based avtivities. Over time, the expectation becomes larger and larger (ie. now to get video games he needs to perform 3 non-preferred tasks, or the one task longer). This is essentially the ABA strategy that my team is using with my son and it has definitely helped with minimizing the tantrums and with preparing him for longer execution of non-preferred activities that will be expected as he advances in school. It takes ALOT of patience and tenacity to stick with it - but it's critically important.

As far as spanking, I'm convinced that if we did it with my son he would either 1-regress in some other behavior or 2- see it as acceptable to hit others (he models behaviors alot).....so we have never done it.

I agree with what jhburner said (was about to type something similar) but wanted to add what we too use the timer. If your child is screaming and crying with the timer and has a language issue, try adding picture charts (if this, then that). You indicated that he does not do this at school and I'm wondering if it's because the school uses pictures? Pinterest has ideas for how to create them yourself or, you can purchase them. http://www.autism-products.com/SearchResults.as....

jhburner gave some great advice. This winter has been so hard only son and I that having hin do 3 nonpreferred activity to get the electronics has helped tremendously with his understanding. My son is nonverbal. First, Second and Thirdly are the words I use. We use the Nova Chat for his speaking device but I have pictures too when I use the word and the picture it really helps him. He is much more cooperative because he gets what he wants in the end.

My son is very tactile and we do not spank him because he likes it and he would copy the behavior with us. Time out he doesn't understand either so that doesn't work.

Very normal the tantrums at that age. My son used to embarass me when he was around the ages of 2-5 at the grocery store and if they didn't have strawberry nestly quick then he would knock down everything off the shelves scream and holler But as he gotten older he calmed down tremedously!! He's more respectful and understands that if what he's looking for us not there then he can't have it. The trick to straightening out my son was to pretend like i was going to call the policeman on him. His uncle is a police officer so i would call my uncle over sometimes just to scare him and i think it stuck with him over the years. So now i don't have one major problem out of him. He might whin about things here and there but nothing uncontrollable.

Maybe his teacher can share her strategies. If she uses a schedule, maybe they can help you make a mini schedule for home or you can use similar language etc.