Self-injurious behaviour in children with an intellectual disability
This briefing has been written to help parents and carers of children with an intellectual disability to understand what self-injury is, what the causes are and which interventions are effective. The briefing focuses on children with profound to moderate intellectual disability, who may also have autism spectrum disorder or a genetic syndrome. For children with mild intellectual disability the causes of self-injury and the most effective interventions may be different and more information can be found at http://www.youngminds.org.uk/for_parents.
What is self-injury?
Self-injury is often described as a type of challenging behaviour because of its impact on the well being of the person showing the behaviour. The term ‘challenging behaviour’ is widely used by services as it rightly emphasises the challenges faced by those who care for children who show difficult behaviours. However, the term ‘challenging behaviour’ covers a wide range of behaviours including: self-injury, aggression, destruction, fire setting, absconding, hyperactivity and a strong insistence on sameness for example. These behaviours are very different and the causes of each, as well as the most effective interventions, may differ in some important ways. Also, different people use the term ‘challenging behaviour’ to mean different things at different times. In order to find and use the right information about self-injury it is important to be clear about the behaviours that are included under this term and ensure that any information given on challenging behaviour is applicable to self-injury.
Published : 19th March 2013
Publisher : Cerebra [ More From This Publisher ]
Rights : Cerebra
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