Self-injury can be one of the most distressing and difficult behaviours that parents, carers, family members and people with autism themselves may face. Here we give an overview of self-injurious behaviour, possible causes and interventions.
Sometimes referred to as self-harm, self-injurious behaviour is any activity in which a person inflicts harm or injury on themselves. About half of people with autism engage self-injurious behaviour at some point in their life. It can take many different forms, including:
  • head banging (on floors, walls or other surfaces)
  • hand or arm biting
  • hair pulling
  • eye gouging
  • face or head slapping
  • skin picking, scratching or pinching
  • forceful head shaking.

People across the spectrum and of all ages may engage in self-injurious behaviours at some point. People who engaged in self-injurious behaviours as children may return to these as adults during times of stress, illness or change.
Usual behavioural intervention approaches are not always appropriate. Seek professional guidance for any self-injurious behaviour which is difficult to manage or resistant to intervention, or for any behaviour which places the person at risk of harm.

Causes

The reasons a person engages in self-injurious behaviours can be wide and varied, and will often involve a complex interaction between multiple factors. People with learning disabilities told Self-Injury Support that they self-injure when:
  • they feel they are not listened to 
  • they have been told off
  • they have little or no choice about things
  • they have been bullied 
  • they are involved in arguments, or hear other people arguing 
  • they are feeling unwell
  • they have memories of a bereavement
  • they have memories of abuse.
SOME parents who have given their son/daughter vitamin B6, calcium


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