Today's Article

"We say 'terrible twos'— kids at that age, they pretty much, 1virtually every two-year-old has tantrums."

At Mayo Clinic, 2psychiatrist Dr. Magdalena Romanowicz teaches parents what to do during a tantrum.

But there are significant waitlists for families hoping for help, it's a problem across the country.

And for children with 3emotional and behavioral disorders, 4tantrums may not go away without treatment.

"Frequently, parents would say, if only, Dr. R, if only you could be with us at home when we are really 5struggling with our child."

That 6sparked this study, published this week.

Using a smartwatch, researchers collected data like a rising heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels.

"With this technology, we can predict the tantrum even up to an hour before it happens with the use of the data."

Not only do researchers say they can 7predict a tantrum, but also 8alert parents within seconds with an 9encrypted message through a smartphone app, allowing them to 10intervene.

They say that quick action 11shortened 12severe tantrums by an average of 11 minutes.

That's about half the 13duration seen in traditional therapy.

"And it's like me whispering in their ear what to do."