We have been stymied by some of Nat's outbursts lately.  Nat is a teenager with autism, a dynamic combination when it comes to excitability and unpredictable mood swings.   We realized, however, that even though he can communicate verbally, he does not like to and it may in fact tire him out. 

Ned suggested we write out the important points of each day for him, particularly at meal time, when we anticipate some kind of outburst.  This morning I recorded his morning on paper, and he came downstairs, read it again and again, and eventually smiled his way through breakfast.  Whew.