Just when we think we have a grasp , something changes and we're back at square one. Disruption in routine, being tired (both daughter and ourselves) , anxiety and lack of focus on the situation seem to be the big triggers here.
Weekly I am sent emails from the Child Mind Institute. I have found them to be a great resource for information not only on autism but various mental health issues. A lot of questions have been answered for me as well as sparking great conversation from various other topics.
Looking for more transition thoughts I came across the institute's thoughts. I found it easy to read and informative.
Why Do Kids Have Trouble With Transitions?
Being asked to switch gears is a common trigger for problem behavior like whining and tantrums
Katherine Martinelli
Humans are creatures of habit. Even when we welcome it, change takes more energy. So perhaps it’s not surprising that children often find it difficult to make transitions between activities, places and objects of attention. Being asked to stop one thing and start another is a very common trigger for problem behavior, especially for kids who have emotional or developmental challenges.
“Transitions are hard for everybody,” says Dr. David Anderson, senior director of the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. “One of the reasons why transitions may be hard is that we’re often transitioning from a preferred activity – something we like doing – to something that we need to do.”
What does trouble with transitions look like?
Difficulty with transitions can manifest in a number of ways depending on the child and the setting. It can take the form of resistance, avoidance, distraction, negotiation or a full-blown meltdown. Some of these reactions are the result of kids being overwhelmed by their emotions. And some are what they’ve learned works to successfully delay or avoid the transition.
A child told it’s time to leave the playground might throw a tantrum initially because he can’t manage his anger or frustration, but if he’s found that it has worked to delay leaving the park, he’s more likely to do it again. “It really depends on how the adults in his life have responded,,” says Dr. Matthew Rouse, a clinical psychologist in the ADHD and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Other kids may not tantrum but instead master the art of whining, distracting, or negotiating with the adults in their life. read the rest here
http://childmind.org/article/why-do-kids-have-trouble-with-transitions/
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