- With Mayo Clinic emeritus consultant
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Dr. Jay Hoecker, an emeritus consultant in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, brings valuable expertise to MayoClinic.com in general and primary care pediatrics. He has a particular interest in infectious diseases of children.
Dr. Hoecker, a Fort Worth, Texas, native, is certified as a pediatrician by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He was trained at Washington University's St. Louis Children's Hospital, and in infectious diseases at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1989.
"The World Wide Web is revolutionizing the availability and distribution of information, including health information about children and families," Dr. Hoecker says. "The evolution of the Web has included greater safety, privacy and accuracy over time, making the quality and access to children's health information immediate, practical and useful. I am happy to be a part of this service to patients from a trusted name in medicine, to use and foster all the good the Web has to offer children and their families."
Infant and toddler health (3)
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- Fruit juice: Is it good or bad for kids?
Newborn health (3)
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- Sagging breasts: Inevitable after breast-feeding?
Infant health (9)
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- Infant growth: What's normal?
- Infant swimming: Do indoor pools pose an asthma risk?
- see all in Infant health
Toddler health (6)
- Discolored baby teeth: A cause for concern?
- Temper tantrums: What's normal, what's not?
- Toddler speech development: When should a parent be concerned?
- see all in Toddler health
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Question
Temper tantrums: What's normal, what's not?
My 3-year-old son has frequent temper tantrums. How can I tell if the tantrums are normal for a child his age — or if they're a sign of something more serious?
Answer
from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.
Tempter tantrums are a normal part of growing up. Often, temper tantrums — which may include crying, screaming, or stomping up and down — are simply the expression of a child's frustration. As self-control improves, temper tantrums typically become less common. Most children outgrow tantrums by age 4.
Sometimes, however, temper tantrums can indicate an underlying issue, such as:
- Developmental delay
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Rarely, temper tantrums may indicate a more serious condition, such as Asperger's syndrome.
To determine whether your son's temper tantrums are cause for concern or simply an age-appropriate response to frustration, ask yourself these questions:
- How often and in what settings do the temper tantrums occur?
- Is your son's speech development on track?
- Are your son's motor abilities and curiosity normal for his age?
- Are you able to manage the tantrums?
- Has your son ever injured himself or others during a tantrum?
Toddler speech development: When should a parent be concerned?
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 9, 2009.
- Sim LA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 13, 2009.
- Prazar GE. Temper tantrums and breath-holding spells. In: McInerny TK, et al. American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009:1316.
