Well, another effective tool is the thermometer. It starts off with a color where everything is fine. (my son's is green0 it then moves to yellow which is slightly agitated. next is orange and this is where he is noticably mad and the last is red and this is the full out explosion. Each color has things a child can do to descalate the building of anger. Counting to 10, using your words to either ask for help, explain why he is getting upset (very helpful for heading off a problem), deep square breathing. The goal is for the child to notice withing themselves that they are changing colors and start doing the things that calm them. You have to help them along with it in the begining. coloring a thermometer is a good visual and the language is easy to relate to. Good luck!!
Thanks so much for the info I am open to alot more info to help our family with this.
Thanks!!!!
We've done some occupational therapy and wanted some help with our son saying things he shouldn't. One thing they do for kids with impulse control for hurting words is to say "put it in a thought bubble" that it is okay to think it but not to say it. Another strategy is the "walk but don't talk rule". No one is allowed to say anything to him when he is walking mad and he can't say anything. Lastly, there is a book that is called "words are not for hurting" that you can get at a bookstore or library. It is a children's book that drives home this point. good luck.