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Episode 30, Knowing the Difference Between a Tantrum and a Meltdown and How to Respond to Both   In This Episode:   Tantrums A tantrum and a meltdown are different.  It’s important to differentiate between the two as it helps guide a helpful response by the parent.  Knowing that tantrums are a result of the child trying to get something and meltdowns are a reaction to sensory overstimulation. A tantrum is based in an attempt for the person (usually a child, but not always!) to get something they want.   It is behavioral based and some suggest that impulsivity can play a key role in their occurrence. A child may have a tantrum if he wants a toy at the story, but is told no.  The tantrum is in an effort (may be conscious or unconscious) to get the toy.   It doesn’t need to be based in a desire to attain tangible things though.  A child can also feel intense emotions that lead to a tantrum over issues such as attention, activities, and such. It usually involves yelling, crying, kicking and screaming, which may l