It helped me a lot to remember (looking at it from the spectrum), that these kids really lag behind in social skills and impulse control. At 4-5, DS was still carrrying on like a 2 yr old when things didn't go his way (yr olds aren't as strong or big as 5 yr olds so the behaviour is really magnified!). So when you feel they should be past this, should know better etc - they really can't help it.

FWIW, spectrum kids often make great leaps forward too, I was starting to panic that he would always remain that way but he didn't. He still throws punches in some circumstances but not nearly as often and he is really open ( he's 6 now) to stopping it and tries very hard. And succeeds a LOT.

xoxo