Meltdown vs. Tantrum: The Difference Every Parent Needs to Know You’re in the store. Your child’s screaming. Everyone’s staring — and someone mutters, “That kid needs discipline.” But here’s what they don’t understand 👇 That’s not a tantrum. It’s a meltdown. A tantrum is want-based. A meltdown is overload-based. One is control — the other is collapse. For many autistic or sensory-sensitive kids, their brain isn’t being “difficult.” It’s drowning in input — noise, lights, transitions, frustratio

Tantrums are a sign the child’s nervous system is overloaded. Tantruming children are calling for help: "Help me balance my clacker! Help me, I am terribly overwhelmed!" Frustration Fits are strategies used to potentially elicit the adult to give in, changing a “no” to a “yes.” Listen in as Dr. Becky Bailey shares what each one looks and sounds like and how to respond. See a real example of how to "Download Calm" to a toddler during a tantrum here: https://youtu.be/l8q6OpxfON0 This clip is from