Seeing your child hurt themselves can be frightening, but the most important thing is to stay as calm as possible. Your priority is to keep your child safe by gently blocking the behavior if there is an immediate risk of injury and removing any objects that could cause harm. Avoid yelling or giving lengthy explanations, as this may increase your child’s distress.
Try to identify what happened just before the self-injurious behavior began. Many children engage in self-injury because they are overwhelmed, frustrated, unable to communicate their needs, experiencing pain or discomfort, or trying to escape a difficult situation. Once your child is calm, help them communicate what they need using words, gestures, pictures, or a communication device, depending on their abilities.
If you notice certain situations consistently trigger the behavior, share your observations with your child’s BCBA or healthcare provider. They can help determine the reason for the behavior and develop a personalized treatment plan that teaches safer, more effective ways for your child to communicate and cope.
If your child is causing significant injury, the behavior is becoming more frequent or severe, or you suspect they may be in pain or have a medical condition contributing to the behavior, contact your pediatrician or your child’s treatment team as soon as possible. With the right support and intervention, many children learn safer ways to express their needs and manage difficult emotions.