If I had an answer to this- I'd be rich! Really the best thing is to head them off- find out/figure out you child's triggers- some kids really melt down if the routine changes- and sometimes that can't be avoided- but the more predictble the day the less tantrums usually. If your child doesn't like loud noises minimize it- have them wear earphones or don't take him/her to places where there is loud - uncontrollable noise. Figure out the triggers. Some kids get worse if their blood sugar drops - so crackers or cheese and crackers between meals is a good idea.

My son is 4 and I had a lot of issues with Tantrums last year. Not so much now. Not sure if it is because he is getting older or because I've taken Autism parent training classes. Learning a lot about their behavior. We've learned to communicate better. Lots of pictures and me talking directly to him face to face and enunciating more. He seems to comprehend better. Also, learned that my reaction to his actions play a part. If I react to his tantrums he will continue to do it. I've learned to totally ignore him and reward him when he finds other ways to communicate. He's non verbal also.

Hi my daughter also diag with PDD NOS is now 18. She was nonverbal but we continued with speech therapy as the delay meant that she was not going to reach milestones on ANYONE'S schedule but HER OWN lol once I figured out what the 'general milestone schedule was' then when we repeatedly incorporated the 'tasks of the milestone' into her daily activities we'd wait.....when the skill set in and she had it! We looked at the span between the two...this helped me track her learning curve, my expectations, help me educate family teachers, etc on her 'delay frame'. Your input MOM13 on triggers is spot on! We have to be ever vigilant of our surroundings moreso than other parents to prepare our children for the 'surprises' in the community.....THE best technique I used for 'sissy' was to use a slow stroke from the shoulder to the finger tips as I said "slow your body down, soft, slow your body down, soft" repeatedly - I would intiate the sensory information at the earliest recognizeable point of upset and eventually taught her to take one arm and pet the other as she 'mimicked' slow and soft. SENSORY COMMUNICATION is amazing for non verbal children. I also carried a sensory vest if we were going to enter walmart during say christmas season (oh gracious!)

His temper may be connected to his being non verbaal -this can cause frustration & anger issues. He may also have sensory issues. Suggest enrolling him in a special needs preschool with interventions like speech, and Occupational Therapy with sensory integration. Your school district can provide this - his diagnosis should have added recommendations for servicing - if not, suggest to go back and request some - with parent training included, then schedule a CSE meeting in your school district to request he receive early intervention servicing. Suggest you also request P:arent Training at the Preschool 1X a week. I had this when my son was young and it was very beneficial.

Our son was nonverbal and beginning to hit, scream, and bite by age 2. It was such a switch in his personality that I insisted of having him assessed for Autism. Turns out, he was frustrated with not understanding things and not being able to communicate. Getting that diagnosis changed how we all dealt with him and got him into tons of therapies. Speech and play group therapies were real helpers, as well as the therapist who came into our home and helped us both on communicating with each other.

Now at age 7 he's starting to get madder and show temper, but it seems more like transitional issues. He doesn't want to stop what he's into and move to a new activity.

Like Mom13 said, try to identify WHEN this happens -- time of day, what precedes it, who's involved with your son ... That can help a lot.