The Autistic Child and Self-Injury

Self-injury is a common occurrence with autistic children, it is also painful and can cause infections. This may occur to release some of the frustration they feel when they cannot communicate through words, and self-injury may the only method they have to get attention.

When a child falls and gets a "boo-boo" they run to their parents with tears seeking comfort and safety. The autistic child is unable to get needed attention and may realize that if they injure themselves to the point of bleeding someone will take notice and will make an effort to understand what they need or want.

Imagine the frustration of trying to speak to someone and not being understood, or having a particular need and cannot get the attention of someone that could help you. It would be like being in the "twilight zone." How would you react? An autistic child may resort to self-injury, by banging their heads, or scratching or biting themselves, to the point of drawing blood.

Since they cannot verbalize their needs the autistic child is much like a pet. A puppy will bring its ball or favorite toy to his master to entice play. Kittens will leap onto your lap and toy with your hair or sleeve to attract your attention. The autistic child only knows that they have a need, and cannot express it so their only method of being noticed is acting-out or resorting to self-injury.

Others theorize that self-injury may have a biochemical component which may relieve pain and frustration by releasing endorphins into their system. These endorphins or "happy hormones" may provide a release for the autistic child, allowing them to forget temporarily their frustration or pain.

The parent or caretaker cannot ignore self-injurious behavior of an autistic child. The parents should consider taking communication training to learn how to communicate with the child.

To help the autistic child, the use of visual aids may stimulate recognition and verbal communication. Some examples of visual aids available are: picture books, story boards and drawings for very young children and keyboards or special computer programs as they gain progress. When working with an autistic child you may have to try several methods of teaching them to communicate, and as they progress, offer them love and praise for encouragement.

The self-injury behavior may stop once the autistic child realizes they can get the needed attention through this new method of communication.