Understanding and Treating Self-Injurious Behavior in Autism: A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective - Paperback

by Stephen M. Edelson (Editor), Jane Botsford Johnson (Editor), Margaret L. Bauman (Contribution by)

Self-injurious behavior occurs in almost half of those with autism and is one of the most devastating and challenging-to-treat behaviors. There are many different forms of self-injury, such as head banging, hand biting, hair pulling, excessive scratching, and much more. With contributions from the leading experts in research and treatment, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or related developmental disabilities, and the different methods available to treat them.
Medical and behavioral researchers have studied SIB for over 50 years, but many practitioners and parents are still unfamiliar with the wide range of contributing causes and treatment options. Beginning with an explanation of SIB and its various forms, the contributors outline the many possible underlying causes of self-injury, such as seizures, hormonal imbalance in teenagers, gastrointestinal conditions, allergies, and stress, and show how a multi-disciplinary approach when uncovering the causes of self-injury can lead to successful treatment strategies. They explain the treatment options available for SIB, including nutritional, medical, psychiatric, sensory, and behavioral approaches, and show how an integrative approach to treating self-injury may be effective for many individuals.
The book will be an invaluable addition to the bookshelves of any practitioner working with people with an ASD or related condition, as well as parents and direct care providers.

Author Biography

Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D., is the director of the Autism Research Institute (ARI). Active in the field of autism for over 35 years, he was named director of ARI in 2006 after the passing of autism pioneer and advocate, Dr. Bernard Rimland. Dr. Edelson has conducted research in a variety of areas comprising behavior, biomedical, sensory issues, and cognition; he has published peer-reviewed research articles with many notables in the autism field, including Drs. Bernard Rimland, Ivar Lovaas, Temple Grandin, Melvin Kaplan, and Margaret Bauman. He is a participant on the Panel of Professional Advisors for the Autism Society of America (ASA) and he is a former ASA Board member and a past president of the Autism Society of Oregon. Jane Johnson is Managing Director and Board Member of the Autism Research Institute (ARI). Jane moderates the four ARI support listservs, helps organize the think tanks, and helps edit the ARI e-newsletter. She has edited three books with her mother: Dr. Bryan Jepson's Changing the Course of Autism, Siblings: The Autism Spectrum Through Our Eyes, and Families of Adults with Autism: Stories and Advice for the Next Generation. Jane lives in New York City.