Self-Injurious Behavior and Comorbidities in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorde

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015) estimate that the prevalence of autism is currently 1 in 68 children. Although research over the last 30 years has been extensive and scientific advances have been extraordinary, much is still unknown about the phenomenology of ASD. Many children with ASD have extremely complex medical and psychological profiles, with numerous co-occurring conditions, such as sleep, seizure, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal disorders, many of which are just beginning to be understood.;Among co-occurring conditions, self-injurious behavior (SIB) occurs in up to 50% of individuals with autism and has potentially severe consequences (Richards, Oliver, Nelson & Moss, 2012). We currently have limited understanding of the etiology of SIB, and as one of the most serious and difficult-to-treat conditions in individuals with developmental disabilities (Russell, 2006), SIB affects the individual and his or her family in multiple contexts. A more in-depth understanding of factors most commonly associated with self-injury would be useful for the development of effective treatment strategies.;The purpose of the current study was to examine these relationships in greater depth and address the gaps in the literature regarding the phenomenology of SIB. Client records were analyzed for 145 children with autism in a comprehensive center serving children with complex disabilities. Research questions addressed were: 1) What is the nature of distribution of SIB and health disorders in children diagnosed with autism at a residential treatment facility providing care for those with autism and other disabilities in New York State? 2) What are the significant relationships of SIB with other restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB) and adaptive skills? 3) What demographic characteristics, psychological and behavioral characteristics, and health disorders significantly predict SIB-Frequency and SIBSeverity? The predictor variables included age, gender, the Adaptive Behavior Composite, sensory processing, aggression, stereotypies, irritability, adaptive skills (communication, daily living skills, socialization), and medical conditions (gastrointestinal disorders, seizure disorders, vitamin D deficiencies). Findings indicated that various factors correlate with SIB, including aggression, stereotypies, irritability, the Adaptive Behavior Composite, communication, daily living skills, and socialization. Age, irritability, and the Adaptive Behavior Composite were found to significantly predict SIB.