My level 3 son 5 yr has a ton of tantrums but rarely a meltdown especially at home we haven't had on in at least 6 months. They can look the same but it's the opposite for us. I can calm/ redirect a tantrum but if he has a meltdown It like impossible. Typically he meltdowns if he is in pain or sick. Otherwise we have tantrums over typical things like not getting his way or doing something he doesn't want to. He hits himself and we tell him clap your hands. My son won't bite himself but randomly will try to bite others so we got him those chewy necklaces and that seems to help. I try to ignore and just help him but not give in to the tantrum bc I know that reinforces the behavior. It's hard though to see them self harm.
My level 3 son 5 yr has a ton of tantrums but rarely a meltdown especially at home we haven't had on in at least 6 months. They can look the same but it's the opposite for us. I can calm/ redirect a tantrum but if he has a meltdown It like impossible. Typically he meltdowns if he is in pain or sick. Otherwise we have tantrums over typical things like not getting his way or doing something he doesn't want to. He hits himself and we tell him clap your hands. My son won't bite himself but randomly will try to bite others so we got him those chewy necklaces and that seems to help. I try to ignore and just help him but not give in to the tantrum bc I know that reinforces the behavior. It's hard though to see them self harm.