Abstract

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.

Self-injurious behaviors, a not-uncommon family of conditions in autism, vary in severity and are sometimes very damaging to the body. Typically, they are difficult to treat. Understanding and Treating Self-Injurious Behavior in Autism, edited by Dr. Stephen M. Edelson and Jane Botsford Johnson, is an important effort to advance knowledge regarding these poorly understood and challenging behaviors that receive inadequate scholarly attention. In this volume, Edelson and Johnson insightfully bring together experts from diverse clinical and research backgrounds who discuss general medical, neurological, genetic, and pharmacological issues that can contribute to causation of self-injurious behaviors, as well as different therapeutic approaches that may be useful in specific clinical contexts. This work communicates current knowledge regarding self-injurious behaviors and advances our understanding in this important area of medicine. Understanding and Treating Self-Injurious Behavior in Autism is highly recommended for clinicians who care for persons with such behaviors and for researchers interested in learning diverse perspectives on the field.
Marvin Natowicz, MD, PhD, Clinical Geneticist, Clinical Pathologist Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH
The root of self-injurious behaviour can be different for each person on the autism spectrum. An individualized approach, considering all options and combinations of treatments, provides the best chance for a healthy and happy life. This book is long overdue.
Laurie Mawlam, Executive Director, Autism Canada
An essential resource for parents, teachers, and health care providers who work with individuals with self-injurious behavior.
Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures and The Autistic Brain
This immensely valuable book guides us through multiple potential target etiologies of self-injurious behavior for effective treatment. Thoughtfully assembled and edited, it represents a much-needed practical and integrative handbook of use to every practitioner who works with individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders. I whole-heartedly recommend it!
Robert L. Hendren, D.O., Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
This is a "must read" book for all practitioners who interact with families affected by autism. Many of the authors whom Dr. Edelson has brought together in this impressive volume have dedicated much of their adult lives to the treatment of people with autism, and they know just how devastating and difficult to treat self-injurious behavior can be. While it is important to study the causes of ASD, it is equally important to identify and treat co-occurring conditions that jeopardize the longevity and quality of life of affected individuals. This is an important step in bringing awareness to the larger community about self-injurious behavior as a critical issue in ASD.
David G. Amaral, Ph.D., Research Director, The MIND Institute