Self-Injurious Behavior
Actions that cause harm to oneself — head-banging, hand-biting, excessive scratching — which can stem from communication difficulty, sensory needs, pain, or emotional overwhelm and warrants prompt professional assessment.
Possible Triggers
- Inability to communicate pain, discomfort, or an unmet need
- Escape or avoidance of an overwhelming task or environment
- Sensory-seeking (craving intense proprioceptive or tactile input)
- Underlying pain or medical issue (e.g. headache, GI discomfort, ear infection)
- Extreme frustration or emotional distress with no other outlet
Home Remedies & Coping Strategies
- Rule out pain or a medical cause first — self-injury can be the only way a nonverbal or minimally verbal child signals physical distressClinical / Peer-Reviewed
- Functional behavior assessment with a BCBA or psychologist to determine the behavior's function before interveningClinical / Peer-Reviewed
- Teach and reinforce an alternative way to get the same need met (communication device, requesting a break, requesting sensory input safely)Clinical / Peer-Reviewed
- Protective equipment (padded mitts, helmets) as a short-term safety measure while the underlying cause is addressed, not as a standalone fixAnecdotal / Community-Sourced