[lucyjoy]

I don't really get the point of time out so this might not help.

Wondering, if the point is to calm down, why not let them go to their room? If they start playing aren't they calm?

Once calm, if they are not AD kids, you can discuss the behavior and what they can do instead and restitution can be made.

If they are AD, skip the discussion part and go directly to the restitution.

For instance-child is told no tv. Child throws fit and is sent to room to calm. Child calms.

Non AD kid: Why were you sent to your room? Wait for answer. What should you have done? Wait for answer. What do you need to do now? Wait for answer and child goes to do whatever. If child does not know what he should do next you tell him.

AD kid. I'm sorry you chose to throw a fit. Some kids would have used their words-"I really want to watch tv and it makes me mad when I can't-go" Kid repeats and you respond as if kid came up with that themselves. "Thanks for telling me how you feel. Sometimes we have have to do things we don't feel like doing"

Or AD kid-In order to replace the energy from you tantrum, you need to vaccuum the living room or whatever.