Why Your Toddler’s Tantrums Might Be More Than Just “Terrible Twos”
Most toddlers have big feelings. But if your child seems to live in a state of meltdown, you might wonder: is this more than just a tough phase?
When Tantrums Are More Than Typical
All toddlers test limits, but frequent, intense, or prolonged tantrums can be early signs of neurodivergence.
Research shows that children with ADHD or autism may show signs as early as age 2-3, especially in how they regulate emotions or respond to changes.
Key Clues to Watch For
Tantrums that last longer than 15–20 minutes
Difficulty calming even with comfort
Aggressive or self-injurious behavior
Big reactions to small changes (a broken cracker, the wrong shirt)
Strong reliance on routines or difficulty establishing/following routines
Why This Matters
Early identification helps families access services and supports sooner. A “wait and see” approach might delay care your child really needs.
Seeking early support and intervention will never be a hindrance or detriment to your child, but waiting until the problems get bigger can absolutely lead to an unnecessarily harder road for your child and family.
What You Can Do
Track patterns: when and why do outbursts happen?
Ask your pediatrician, but don’t be afraid to get a second opinion
Seek an evaluation if you feel something’s off.
You do not need your pediatrician’s approval to obtain an evaluation for your child. Many pediatricians are only familiar with the classic signs of neurodiversity and I’ve worked with so many families whose concerns were dismissed only to miss critical windows of opportunity to make big impacts with early intervention.
Big feelings don’t make your child bad,
but they might be telling you something important.
If you have concerns but aren’t sure where to start, reach out to us and we can help guide you in the right direction.
