Autism, Head Banging and other Self Harming Behaviour

Autism Parenting Magazine recently published an article on head banging and other self-harming behaviours. 

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In a recent study it was found that as many as 30% of children on the autism spectrum engage in self-injurious behaviour like head banging or skin picking. This an alarming issue for families with children on the autism spectrum.

In this guide we discuss the causes and strategies to help your child reduce self-injurious behavior.

Why do autistic children hit themselves?

For children with autism, headbanging is a way to self-soothe and communicate needs as a result of some form of anxiety. Babies and toddlers soothe themselves and want to feel the same as they did in their mother’s womb. This is known as vestibular stimulation. Other habits that feed a child’s vestibular stimulation include head rolling, body rocking, biting, and thumb sucking.

You can read the entire article here.

DISCLAIMER
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In publishing a story from the media on our website, the Child Protection Party is not indicating support for or rejection of the content of the story. The story is published to allow you, the public, to offer your opinions which informs the Party and helps us develop policy positions.