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Self-Injurious Behaviors

Head banging, biting, and excessive picking or rubbing are the main forms of self-injurious behaviors (SIB).  In addition to causing tissue damage such as bruising and open wounds, self-injurious behaviors are also frightening to watch and can be incredibly challenging to treat.  Children engage in self-injury for a variety of reasons.  Conducting a behavioral assessment is the first step to determining the behavior’s function. 

At Butterfly Effects, we can’t emphasize enough that these behaviors warrant immediate attention from a professional.  Although it may occur infrequently now, if it is not addressed it will likely dramatically increase.  The child, who occasionally banged his head at two, may put his head through walls and windows at twelve.  To prevent this – intervene early.  As with any other behavior each time SIB occurs there is an opportunity for the behavior to be reinforced. When behavior is reinforced it becomes more frequent