[OnAMission]

For us, it took a lot of diligent sitting with the child so we could catch the hand before it could make contact. Also, that close observation may provide insight into *why* he is hitting. Is he frustrated? Keep modeling those words (and with a speech delay, that might take that much more effort and focus). If you or another parent/adult can't be with him, then he has shown he isn't safe with sister. Can you keep them both in sight but separated? For sure praise him whenever he chooses the right action (however small). We also do a lot of modeling gentle touches. So me moving the child's hand gently patting my arm to be able to distinguish between hard touch and soft. He may not completely realize how hard he is moving his hand and how much more he needs to control it to be soft. Does he get a big reaction from you or siblings? because sometimes a big reaction is exciting, even if it is negative. Can you coach other children to express sadness but not anger? Talk about how if you hit siblings, then you aren't safe to play with them so they and you will have to take a break from each other.

Three is a busy tactile age. Is he able to get lots of large muscle movement during the day? Pushing, pulling, jumping and/or climbing? It can only help if he gets healthy good input from using those muscles.