The child is having outbursts. He or she can’t seem to settle down. He or she is singing, talking incessantly, or making noises. Or maybe he or she has completely shut down. There seem to be no apparent reasons for the behavior, and caregivers and parents find themselves befuddled. What is going on? Maybe one thing, maybe many things. This list is a place to start.
1. A child may be dysregulated because of sleep deprivation.
Inadequate or insufficient sleep narrows a child’s window of tolerance (National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, n.d.). The child may therefore have less ability to withstand less than optimal circumstances. Symptoms such as increased irritation, moodiness, tantrums, and over or under-activation may result (Better Health Channel, n.d.). Dysregulation and struggles to stay regulated may ensue.
2. A child may be dysregulated because of hunger.
Some adults joke about being “hangry.” This is not just a social phenomenon, but a real experience, especially for children in small bodies. Irritability can be a symptom of low blood sugar (Nafutilin, 2022). When blood sugar drops, the body thinks it is in danger, resulting in the fight-flight response or dysregulation. Amanda Purvis (n.d.), of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, states that hunger is especially hard for children from hard places who may have experience food insecurity. She suggests snacks every two hours to stabilize blood sugar and help children feel emotionally safe. Children often go much longer than two hours during their school days without food. They may be having a hard time, or becoming dysregulated, in part because of this.
3. A child may be dysregulated because of thirst.
Water makes up over half of the human body (Water Science School, 2019). By the time a person feels thirsty, the brain loses 10% of its capacity according to Amanda Purvis (n.d.). For little children with small reasoning capacities due to age or development, this may mean little to no ability to manage their actions and behaviors.
4. A child may be dysregulated due to sensory input.
Children are a neurodiverse bunch, and sensitive to all kinds of stimuli. Loud noises can grate on some. Too much quiet bothers others. Some kids like light. Others are sensitive to light, especially fluorescent light (Faculty Solutions Group, 2019). Certain conditions such as autism (Autism Speaks, n.d.) and the highly sensitive personality (Drudi, 2022) may exacerbate sensory input. Non-preferred sensory input, whatever it may be, can lead to dysregulation.
5. A child may be dysregulated due to overstimulation.
Children can dysregulate not only due to certain types of sensory input, but due to too much sensory input (Gordon, 2021). Due to neglect and maltreatment, kids from hard places may have difficulty tolerating positive affect or even positive events such as parties (Gobbel, 2021). Overstimulation can result in outbursts to escape the situation, fight off the discomfort, or otherwise self-soothe.
6. A child may be dysregulated due to under-stimulation.
Some children need a lot of physical activity in order to stay regulated. Some children act out because of boredom and need to be engaged. This is particularly true of children on the ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) spectrum (Alexander, 2022). For these children, dysregulation arises because of excess energy in their bodies.
7. A child may be dysregulated because medications are wearing off.
Some children struggle at specific times of day, such as early in the morning or after school. For children taking medication, specifically ADHD medication, this may coincide with the wearing off of medications. These medications help the child control himself or herself for a period, but then they lose this ability as the medications wear off. This phenomenon is so common that it is has name: “’the rebound effect’” (Rodden, 2023). The stark differences in body chemistry alone can cause dysregulation, as can frustrations with the inability to practice self-control as before.
8. A child may be dysregulated because he or she is uncomfortable with the topic.
Children sometimes dysregulate because they are triggered by a situation or topic. Kids from hard places may have numerous triggers, many of which are unknown to caregivers (Cummings, 2020). This is not an excuse for non-preferred behaviors, but may help explain dysregulation.
9. A child may be dysregulated in an attempt to connect.
Some children lack the skills to bid for connection in healthy ways (Eanes, n.d.). He or she may therefore make a scene in order to draw attention and get the co-regulation needed.
10. A child may be dysregulated because he or she does not want to do something.
This is sometimes the first thing adults assume when they see a child struggling with his or her emotions and behaviors. Often, it is the last possible reason for dysregulation, however. Many times a child has a “downstairs” meltdown because they lack the skills needed to carry out a task (Watts, n.d.). In other cases, the meltdown is “upstairs” and truly because the child is throwing a tantrum to get what he or she wants. In this case, the child may actually be able to control his or her emotions and can be distracted or redirected out of the dysregulation.
Many more reasons than these exist for dysregulation in children. In examining these ten most common reasons for dysregulation, however, caregivers and parents might better be able to understand why children are struggling, and as a result, begin to address the underlying issues. In addressing these issues, children may remain regulated more often, benefitting both the caregivers and themselves.
Recommended Reads
The child is having outbursts. He or she can’t seem to settle down. He or she is singing, talking incessantly, or making noises. Or maybe he or she has completely shut down. There seem to be no apparent reasons for the behavior, and caregivers and parents find themselves befuddled. What is going on? Maybe one thing, maybe many things. This list is a place to start.
1. A child may be dysregulated because of sleep deprivation.
Inadequate or insufficient sleep narrows a child’s window of tolerance (National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, n.d.). The child may therefore have less ability to withstand less than optimal circumstances. Symptoms such as increased irritation, moodiness, tantrums, and over or under-activation may result (Better Health Channel, n.d.). Dysregulation and struggles to stay regulated may ensue.
2. A child may be dysregulated because of hunger.
Some adults joke about being “hangry.” This is not just a social phenomenon, but a real experience, especially for children in small bodies. Irritability can be a symptom of low blood sugar (Nafutilin, 2022). When blood sugar drops, the body thinks it is in danger, resulting in the fight-flight response or dysregulation. Amanda Purvis (n.d.), of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, states that hunger is especially hard for children from hard places who may have experience food insecurity. She suggests snacks every two hours to stabilize blood sugar and help children feel emotionally safe. Children often go much longer than two hours during their school days without food. They may be having a hard time, or becoming dysregulated, in part because of this.
3. A child may be dysregulated because of thirst.
Water makes up over half of the human body (Water Science School, 2019). By the time a person feels thirsty, the brain loses 10% of its capacity according to Amanda Purvis (n.d.). For little children with small reasoning capacities due to age or development, this may mean little to no ability to manage their actions and behaviors.
4. A child may be dysregulated due to sensory input.
Children are a neurodiverse bunch, and sensitive to all kinds of stimuli. Loud noises can grate on some. Too much quiet bothers others. Some kids like light. Others are sensitive to light, especially fluorescent light (Faculty Solutions Group, 2019). Certain conditions such as autism (Autism Speaks, n.d.) and the highly sensitive personality (Drudi, 2022) may exacerbate sensory input. Non-preferred sensory input, whatever it may be, can lead to dysregulation.
5. A child may be dysregulated due to overstimulation.
Children can dysregulate not only due to certain types of sensory input, but due to too much sensory input (Gordon, 2021). Due to neglect and maltreatment, kids from hard places may have difficulty tolerating positive affect or even positive events such as parties (Gobbel, 2021). Overstimulation can result in outbursts to escape the situation, fight off the discomfort, or otherwise self-soothe.
6. A child may be dysregulated due to under-stimulation.
Some children need a lot of physical activity in order to stay regulated. Some children act out because of boredom and need to be engaged. This is particularly true of children on the ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) spectrum (Alexander, 2022). For these children, dysregulation arises because of excess energy in their bodies.
7. A child may be dysregulated because medications are wearing off.
Some children struggle at specific times of day, such as early in the morning or after school. For children taking medication, specifically ADHD medication, this may coincide with the wearing off of medications. These medications help the child control himself or herself for a period, but then they lose this ability as the medications wear off. This phenomenon is so common that it is has name: “’the rebound effect’” (Rodden, 2023). The stark differences in body chemistry alone can cause dysregulation, as can frustrations with the inability to practice self-control as before.
8. A child may be dysregulated because he or she is uncomfortable with the topic.
Children sometimes dysregulate because they are triggered by a situation or topic. Kids from hard places may have numerous triggers, many of which are unknown to caregivers (Cummings, 2020). This is not an excuse for non-preferred behaviors, but may help explain dysregulation.
9. A child may be dysregulated in an attempt to connect.
Some children lack the skills to bid for connection in healthy ways (Eanes, n.d.). He or she may therefore make a scene in order to draw attention and get the co-regulation needed.
10. A child may be dysregulated because he or she does not want to do something.
This is sometimes the first thing adults assume when they see a child struggling with his or her emotions and behaviors. Often, it is the last possible reason for dysregulation, however. Many times a child has a “downstairs” meltdown because they lack the skills needed to carry out a task (Watts, n.d.). In other cases, the meltdown is “upstairs” and truly because the child is throwing a tantrum to get what he or she wants. In this case, the child may actually be able to control his or her emotions and can be distracted or redirected out of the dysregulation.
Many more reasons than these exist for dysregulation in children. In examining these ten most common reasons for dysregulation, however, caregivers and parents might better be able to understand why children are struggling, and as a result, begin to address the underlying issues. In addressing these issues, children may remain regulated more often, benefitting both the caregivers and themselves.
Recommended Reads
References
Alexander, H. (2022, February 14). ADHD can cause overstimulation and understimulation-here’s why. Inflow. https://www.getinflow.io/post/sensory-processing
Autism Speaks. (n.d.) Sensory issues. https://www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-issues
Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Sleep deprivation. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep-deprivation
Drudi, C. (2022, June 22). 9 signs you have a highly sensitive kid. Today’s Parent. https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/kids-health/signs-you-have-a-highly-sensitive-child/
Cummings, W.R. (2020, January 4). Emotional dysregulation in children and teens. PsychCentral. https://psychcentral.com/blog/childhood-behavioral/2020/01/emotional-dysregulation-in-children-and-teens#1
Eanes, R. (n.d.). Turning toward our children: Answering bids for connection. CreativeChild. https://www.creativechild.com/articles/view/turning-toward-our-children
Faculty Solutions Group. (2019). Photophobia & light sensitivity in children. https://fsg.com/photophobia-light-sensitivity-in-children/
Gobbel, R. (2021, May 24). Why good times suddenly go bad. RobynGobbel.com. https://robyngobbel.com/goodtimesgobad/
Gordon, S. (2021, October 7). How to cope with your child’s sensory overload. VeryWell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/overstimulation-in-children-4585143
Naftulin, J. (2022, December 27). What is ‘hangry’? Feeling angry after not eating is a real thing.
National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine. (n.d.). How to help our clients understand their window of tolerance. https://www.nicabm.com/trauma-how-to-help-your-clients-understand-their-window-of-tolerance/
Purvis, A. (n.d.). Starting small: Nutrition and hydration. The Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. https://child.tcu.edu/nutrition-and-hydration/
Rodden, J. (2023). AHDH medication rebound: What to do when a prescription wears off. Attitude. https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-medication-rebound/
Water Science School. (2019, May 22). The water in you: Water and the human body. United States Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body
Watts, A. (n.d.). 2 types of tantrums and how to handle them. iMom. https://www.imom.com/two-types-of-tantrums-how-handle-them/
References
Alexander, H. (2022, February 14). ADHD can cause overstimulation and understimulation-here’s why. Inflow. https://www.getinflow.io/post/sensory-processing
Autism Speaks. (n.d.) Sensory issues. https://www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-issues
Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Sleep deprivation. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep-deprivation
Drudi, C. (2022, June 22). 9 signs you have a highly sensitive kid. Today’s Parent. https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/kids-health/signs-you-have-a-highly-sensitive-child/
Cummings, W.R. (2020, January 4). Emotional dysregulation in children and teens. PsychCentral. https://psychcentral.com/blog/childhood-behavioral/2020/01/emotional-dysregulation-in-children-and-teens#1
Eanes, R. (n.d.). Turning toward our children: Answering bids for connection. CreativeChild. https://www.creativechild.com/articles/view/turning-toward-our-children
Faculty Solutions Group. (2019). Photophobia & light sensitivity in children. https://fsg.com/photophobia-light-sensitivity-in-children/
Gobbel, R. (2021, May 24). Why good times suddenly go bad. RobynGobbel.com. https://robyngobbel.com/goodtimesgobad/
Gordon, S. (2021, October 7). How to cope with your child’s sensory overload. VeryWell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/overstimulation-in-children-4585143
Naftulin, J. (2022, December 27). What is ‘hangry’? Feeling angry after not eating is a real thing.
National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine. (n.d.). How to help our clients understand their window of tolerance. https://www.nicabm.com/trauma-how-to-help-your-clients-understand-their-window-of-tolerance/
Purvis, A. (n.d.). Starting small: Nutrition and hydration. The Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. https://child.tcu.edu/nutrition-and-hydration/
Rodden, J. (2023). AHDH medication rebound: What to do when a prescription wears off. Attitude. https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-medication-rebound/
Water Science School. (2019, May 22). The water in you: Water and the human body. United States Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body
Watts, A. (n.d.). 2 types of tantrums and how to handle them. iMom. https://www.imom.com/two-types-of-tantrums-how-handle-them/
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