Some children may be more sensitive to their environment and have higher sensory needs that can cause them to feel irritated, which results in immature or “annoying” behaviors. In this case, appropriate sensory input, as well as structure and routine, will help.

7 Ways to Address Obnoxious Behavior in a Child

1. Prevent It.
2. Praise Good Behavior.
3. Ignore the Behavior.
4. Point Out Obnoxious Behavior.
5. Offer a Warning.
6. Give a Consequence.
7. Problem-Solve.

Talk to your children about their daily schedule and point out important actions to take throughout the day, such as putting their lunchbox back into their backpack after their lunch period, putting their clothes in their backpack after a swim lesson, and keeping track of their water bottle throughout the day.

12 Signs Your Elementary-Age Child Has Anger Issues

1. Their Childhood Tantrums Extend Beyond the Expected Age.
2. They Get Frustrated When They Can’t Win or Solve a Problem.
3. Their Teachers Report That They Are Out of Control.
4. Their Friends Don’t Want to Play With Them.
5. They Blame Others for Their Problems.
6. Their Behavior Is Dangerous to Themselves or Others.

Guidance from a mental-health professional can also be very helpful.

1. Teach Your Child About Feelings.
2. Create an Anger Thermometer.
3. Develop a Calm-Down Plan.
4. Teach Anger Management Techniques.
5. Avoid Giving In to Tantrums.
6. Follow Through With Consequences.
7. Avoid Violent Media.
8. A Word From Verywell.

It’s common for young kids to have temper tantrums when they don’t get their way. But by the age of 8 or 9, tantrums have tapered off for most kids. When older kids have tantrums, people may see them as spoiled or disrespectful.

Many autistic people will show signs of distress before having a meltdown, which is sometimes referred to as the “rumble stage”. They may start to exhibit signs of anxiety such as pacing, seek reassurance through repetitive questioning or physical signs such as rocking or becoming very still.

Meltdowns can look like any of these actions: withdrawal (where the person zones out, stares into space, and/or has body parts do repetitive movements) or outward distress (crying uncontrollably, screaming, stomping, curling up into a ball, growling, etc.).

Your child might seem more irritable or cranky, cry, scream, fidget or seem restless. Or your child might find it hard to adapt to change, or have trouble concentrating. This often happens because autistic children and teenagers can find it hard to identify, manage and express their emotions.