How did you know? Temper tantrum related

Within the last week, my 2.5 year old DS' tantrums have gotten out of control. It started Saturday - he was inconsolable because DH left to run an errand. 45 minutes of nonstop crying, running and throwing toys. Nothing could calm him. He finally calmed down and went to sleep at 8, then woke up at 11 having his first night terror Sunday, another tantrum, another night terror. Yesterday, more tantrums, but we changed up the bedtime routine and no night terror.

He's had 2 45 min tantrums at my mom's house today (my parents watch him full time). One over an iPhone charger and another over changing out of his pajamas. We are all so lost with this...the intensity of his tantrums are totally overbown and it takes so long for him to calm down. He has had a cold, but I can't imagine that alone is causing this.

We are taking him to the ped tonight...but when did you know something was wrong? We have no idea what we are doing but nothing seems to be working. I have no clue if this is atypical or not. I'm worrying that he has SPD or ADHD or something else. I did call EI as well, and I'm speaking to the ped about that tonight.

Just so worried

How did you know? Temper tantrum related

Is he showing anything else? If he is just tantruming because of things he can not have (daddy staying home, charger) then it would be more behavioral than anything. Many kids tantrum but if it is in conjunction with other things than it could be something.

Re: How did you know? Temper tantrum related

THis was the age that my son started to have MAJOR night terrors... And his tantrums got worse. It took 3 months to realize what was causing it... RED, BLUE, and YELLOW dye. His night terrors were happening on days where he was having speech or OT. He was getting twizzlers or m&ms as a treat. He had no issues on the weekends.. I pulled all the treats and within a week, he was ok. We tested it out and sure enough the same thing....He is now 6 and a half and he is completely red dye free and I limit his blue and red dye.. A LOT....

Has there been any changes in his diet or routine?

How did you know? Temper tantrum related

Thanks for your replies

No changes to diet - we don't give him any sort of candy or treats like that. My mom might give fruit snacks, I have to check. No real changes to routine (he's always been a kid that hates routine and never sticks to one)...just kinda lost. He had another terror last night

Re: How did you know? Temper tantrum related

It's tough with something like this. There's a fine line between what is absolutely normal and expected, and something unusual. A large percentage of 2/3/4 year olds have extreme tantrums over (what we think are) the smallest things.
It never hurts to talk to your ped, but don't be surprised if they just say it's nothing to worry about, and it's normal.

Since you posted this a few days ago, did the ped have any comments about the tantrums?