Self injury is painful and dangerous and one wonders why any person should indulge in that act. This dangerous practice is prevalent in autistic children to a great extent. Many theories are in vogue for the existence of this practice and a few methods are also available to wean away children from this harmful practice.
Their inability to communicate through language like others frustrates the autistic persons as they are not understood and do not get what they need or want. This frustration, impossible for communication through word, manifests as self injury and banging their heads or biting themselves. Self injury is also means of drawing the attention of others. The autistic child frustration and the need for attention go hand in hand. For instance, by scratching one self until one bleeds the autistic child draws the immediate attention of others who try to understand what the person really wants.
Frustration and attention theory has been in vogue for quite some time. Studies in recent times have indicated that self injury can have a biochemical component that relieves one of some pain and frustration through the release of endorphins or “happy hormones” into the system. The autistic child, thus, forgets his pain and frustration temporarily. It is believed that frequent self injury on the part of the autistic child mask or cover up through endorphins all the pain and frustration linked with such behavior. It becomes an addictive action.
Some professional suggest ignoring the self injurious behavior of the autistic child as an acceptable method of treatment. Others suggest drugs and communication therapy provide the autistic child with another method of communication. There are drugs that stop the additive behavior of releasing endorphins into the system. Nutritional solutions are also available. Vitamin B6 and calcium are helpful to families with an autistic child.
For family members, training on how to communicate with an autistic child is extremely important. Normal persons are used to communicate through easily recognizable words or body language. But communicating with an autistic child needs a completely different process. Solutions for both the child and the family with leanings for self injury should be found to overcome this distressing practice.