We’re part of a team at CIUSSS de l’Estrie that provides specialized services to children ages 0–6 with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Over the years, we’ve learned that the first—and most important—thing parents want to know is how to interact with their children during a tantrum or a meltdown. They tell us they feel embarrassed and judged by others (at the grocery store and when out shopping, for example). For parents and their children, this can make them feel isolated from the community at large as well as from their extended families.

The work we do at our facility right now is geared toward children ages 8 and over. Because we feel it’s important to extend our services to children ages 0–6 and their parents as well, we’ve created a series of 4 workshops for parents on how to cope when their child is having a tantrum or autistic meltdown.

Here are some of the things the workshops cover:

• – Why it’s important for parents to learn about their child’s emotions
• – Why parents need to manage their own emotions so they can support their child properly
• – How tantrums are a normal part of a child’s development but can manifest differently in children with ASD (frequency, intensity, duration)
• – How parents can get to know their child better and learn their patterns
• – How parents can be better equipped to deal with tantrums and meltdowns

These workshops will empower parents to handle their children’s tantrums and meltdowns more ably and help them cope with everyday situations at home and elsewhere.

Lead:
Nancy Côté, Special Education Technician

Contributors:
Isabelle Roy, Special Education Technician
Sabrina Rainville, Special Education Technician
Érika Larouche, Psychoeducator
Caroline Paquette, Special Education Technician
Shannon Fréchette, Occupational Therapist
Karine Lisé-Bessette, Special Education Technician