From the perspective of applied behavior analysis, there are four functions of self-injurious behavior: Source: Functions of Self-Injurious Behavior: An Experimental Epidemiological Analysis (Iwata, B). most common reasons why kids engage in headbanging behavior, tips and ideas to prevent it or mitigate the consequences. On the other hand, a child with a hypersensitive nervous system may bang his head to decrease the stimulation to his sensory … The self-stimulation (stimming) behavior is pleasurable. Hi Margie, it is really a difficult situation. Children usually do not cause harm to themselves, but it can … Or, if your child is banging on the bed frame or head board, consider putting the mattress directly on the floor and removing the frame or board. amzn_assoc_linkid = "0c067541a04ed8547bbfc00ad50a7cd6"; 13. For these children, the rocking and banging can be harmful. Some common forms of self-injurious behaviors can include head-banging, hand-biting, and scratching. During the weeks that you are implementing this non-contingent attention program, you will need to train your kid to ask for attention in appropriate ways. Safeguard the environment. Head banging, hitting the head with a fist, banging the head on the wall or floor are all different manifestations of the same behavior. This is because the sensation of banging their head is something that they can focus on and control. © Farlex 2012, Source: Self-Injury in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability: Exploring the Role of Reactivity to Pain and Sensory Input.). Track behaviors to understand their function (you can read my post on how to track behaviors). Understanding the function of this behavior is key to ensuring that the strategies you put in place are going to be successful. We really hope that these strategies help. padding on the walls around the bed), 10. I would point out that its hard to imagine a part of your day when you are not receiving sensory input, and have to process it/deal with it. Understandably, this can be really difficult for parents who feel helpless and fear that their child may be injured. TELL US MORE... have a story or experience that you would like to share with us? self injurious behaviors like head banging, skin picking or pinching. Some tips for giving replacement behavior for headbanging are: 1. 22.Explain rules and ask your kid to repeat them back (if he/she is verbal) Your email address will not be published. Sep 30, 2014 - Self injurious behaviors are, unfortunately, not unusual for kids with special needs. Senses are often acutely affected in people with ASD. As head banging is a sign of a child’s need for release, it can be altered with other physical activities that are not harmful to the child. If you identify transitions as a problem, there are different ways to address it, depending of your specific situation. Do not scold or punish your child for head banging as your disapproval could worsen the situation Learning difficulties are different to learning disabilities because, unlike a learning disability, a learning difficulty does not impact on a person’s intellect. Tactile Treatment Strategies Cont. If your child regularly uses head banging as a distraction when in discomfort you should consult an Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Therapist to see if there any ways in which they can help your child to develop a new way to demonstrate that they are in pain. If your child doesn’t usually head bang, you should consult with your GP to rule out any injuries that you cannot see or an underlying medical condition, such as an ear infection or sore throat. When giving instruction, ensure that they are clear and concise. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Kids with autism may have increased or decreased sensory sensitivity (over-responsiveness or under-responsiveness). Required fields are marked *, We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Photographs courtesy of Rob Mank Photography Behavior is a form of communication. These extreme behaviours provided GH with predictable and intense input which helped him to block out unwanted input in his environment e.g. Autism & Head Banging: 15+ Strategies to Help Provide sensory alternatives. Address the sensory needs that this behavior seems to be meeting. (Expect him to fill in the blank). Remove stimuli that are causing the sensory discomfort: Tips to Prevent Self-Harm due to Under-Stimulation. Don’t make eye contact. As a parent, there is a fine line to walk to help your child address these behaviors. For us, in a case of attention-seeking, what has worked better in the past was a combination of making the environment safe (padded), learning how to block the attempts safely and very importantly ? A Blog About Parenting: Coping Skills, Behavior Management and Special Needs. This joy in movement is called our kinesthetic drive. Sensory processing is not just about difficulties with noise or … Also, if a child is banging their head against the wall, you could consider moving their bed away from the wall. Learn how to do safe holds to prevent harm / Block attempts to bang head. Whilst we all have sensory likes and dislikes mine impact me minimally so I hadn’t given the subject much thought. Strategies for Handling a Child Who is Head Banging Compiled by Linda Cammaroto, OTR/L Intro Head banging can be a frightening experience for most people as they worry their child may hurt himself/herself. Head-banging also may occur without readily apparent provocation (e.g., as a soothing or self-stimulatory behavior). Provide sensory alternatives that provide a similar experience to head banging: amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "veryspecialta-20"; Tips to Prevent Self-Harm due to Sensory Overload: 11. Without the ability to interpret the data properly, headbanging and other self-harming behaviours can help give some relief. Small Changes- Big Challenges, AUTISM GPS TRACKER: How to Choose the Best GPS Tracker for your Kid, Autism & Elopement: 30 Tips to Help Prevent Autism Wandering, Autism & Anxiety: 24 Triggers and 25 Coping Strategies, Anxiety and Autism: Triggers and Calming Strategies to Help your Autistic Teen - Very Special Tales, Autism GPS Tracker: How to Choose the Best GPS Tracker for your Kid - Very Special Tales, fears of brain damage and for their general health and safety, frustration over our inability at times to understand what is going on, helplessness over our failed attempts to help them. Would you like to keep a PDF copy of this post? It is important to rule out any medical condition that may be causing pain. Many children find sensory therapy with an OT to be helpful. Small Changes- Big Challenges”. Interoception is the eighth sensory system. Sensory Diet Strategies:  throughout the day, encourage activities that provide proprioceptive (heavy work) input to the arms and hands such as o crawling o pushing and pulling (or holding onto a rope while being pulled on a scooterboard) o wearing wrist weights  offer vibration to the head through a vibrating brush or an oral vibrator pinching, biting, or head banging ... powerful sensory strategies to decrease defensiveness. We would love to hear from you! Don’t give the attention to the head banging. Injury Prevention when Pain: Provide student … Strategies to Stop Head Banging Injury Prevention Provide student with a helmet. Remove noise with noise-cancelling headphones. Track date/time/antecedent to determine if the behavior is pain induced. If your child is banging their head because of a sensory deficit then you need to look at different ways in which they can get the sensory feedback that they are looking for. A tip for those situations may be to redirect him into another task or distract her with a question (Response interruption and redirection):  What was your favorite toy? This is because the sensation of banging their head is something that they can focus on and control. Fill in the form below and receive a copy in your email. Head banging alone is rarely a cause for concern. When you throw a toy, what happens? Perhaps the rocking and even the head banging provide a form of pleasure related to the movement. 9. What are the 5 main types of learning difficulties in children? There are some tips that could apply to SIB in general and specifically to head banging, no matter what the function of this behavior is. So the tips here may be a bit obvious: 24. Your email address will not be published. You will also receive our special needs newsletter and useful resources. A kid may use head banging (or other SIB) as a way to mitigate or mask pain and discomfort. 2. What causes children with autism to head bang? . Some kids with autism or special needs have learned that they can escape from activities that they find too difficult (or just boring) with disruptive behavior.If we have identified escape as a trigger, these are some tips that may be useful: 15. And head banging is its most common form. Use a headbanging helmet with an MD … In this instance, you should consult your child’s medical team to ascertain if any other methods should be put in place to help them, such as medication or a ‘safe-hold’ technique that you can use to safely prevent your child from injury. Biting hands, scratching or rubbing, consult your doctor: 1 how to do safe holds to their! Sib ) as a problem, there is an extra motivation to the... That may help them to self-regulate head-banging can sensory strategies for head banging due to sensory processing disorder, that. 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