Topics > Self-Injurious Behaviors

Treatment Options

Developing answers for why self injurious behavior occurs has been a task in science medicine since the 1960’s. Statistics tell us that 5-17 percent of individuals diagnosed with autism and other neurobehavioral disorders do serious harm to themselves by scratching, biting, head banging and even gouging their eyes on a regular basis. Because it is so disturbing and difficult to manage SIB families often find themselves on the path of medicating and even placing their children in group homes and other institutions. To date there is no known drug that can effectively address self injurious behavior.

There are numerous theories and suggested treatments for self injurious behavior.  Some support physiological issues as the culprit. While others are believers that that deficits in communication and social interaction are the cause behind SIB. Treatment with success can be achieved with the help of a trained professional at your side. Assessing self injurious in your child will be a process.  Initially and to discard the possibility of illness a full physical evaluation by your child’s physician is recommended. Once it has been determined that your child is in good health you are encouraged to explore treatment for your child’s behavior.

A functional analysis must be conducted to determine the cause of your child’s behavior. There are other components that will also be taken into consideration for program development such as frequency, intensity and duration of each instance of behavior. A thorough assessment should include interviews with parents, caretakers and anyone that spends time with child on a regular basis. An accurate assessment must also include direct observation and ongoing data collection of the targeted behavior. Only with these components can you begin the process that will allow you to properly depict the cause of the behavior and the appropriate techniques that will prevent, replace, and eventually extinguish the maladaptive behavior.