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Content Warning: Mental Health Struggles. This presentation covers sensitive topics related to self-harm and suicidal ideation. If you or a loved one are struggling, please reach out for professional support and appropriate interventions..

Reasons for Self-Injurious Behavior. Self-injurious behavior may stem from a child's struggle with communication, such as difficulty expressing emotions like anger or frustration. It can also be driven by a desire for a parent's attention, a need to escape or avoid a situation, or a need for sensory stimulation. In some cases, a child may engage in self-harm or risky behaviors to fit in with their peers, such as participating in viral social media trends..

Statistics and Manifestations of Self-Injurious Behavior.

Validating Emotions. When working with your child to reduce self-injurious behaviors, it is important to remember to validate your child's emotions. Self-injurious behaviors often arise in response to your child struggling to communicate with you. By fostering an environment in which your child feels comfortable communicating with you, you can help your child gain the confidence they need to initiate communication..

When to Seek Professional Help. If your child's self-injurious behavior becomes more intense, such as increasing in frequency or becoming more dangerous, it is important to not hesitate to reach out to a behavior specialist for assistance. These professionals can provide valuable guidance and support to help address the underlying issues and develop effective strategies to reduce the harmful behaviors..

oi. Self-Injurious Behavior Due to Physical Ailment.

Self-Injurious Behavior Due to Physical Ailment. It's important to recognize that self-injurious behaviors are not always a means of communication. In some cases, they may be a response to an underlying physical condition or ailment. For example, a child may bite themselves or slap their cheeks due to tooth pain. However, the self-harm could also be a way to distract from other sources of physical discomfort, such as abdominal pain. Additionally, self-injurious behavior could be linked to a mental health comorbidity, such as anxiety or depression..

Suicidal Ideation. Self-injurious behavior can sometimes be a sign of deeper mental health struggles, including suicidal ideation. It's crucial to take any signs of suicidal thoughts or intentions seriously and seek immediate professional help..

Handling Suicidal Ideation. If your child mentions or alludes to suicide, suicidal ideation, or planning to attempt suicide, you must take them seriously. Remain calm and sit down with your child to listen without interrupting. Take notes as they speak to ensure you fully understand their situation. If they reveal a specific plan to attempt suicide, your first action should be to remove the immediate threat, such as pills or knives, from the home completely by handing them off to a close friend, neighbor, or family member..

Urgent Actions. If the threat to your child's life is urgent, immediate action is crucial. You should either take your child to the local emergency room or call their primary care provider and get an appointment that same day. This will ensure your child receives prompt medical attention and evaluation..

Strategies to Decrease Self-Injurious Behavior. There are several strategies that may help your child decrease self-injurious behaviors. These approaches focus on validating emotions, identifying the underlying reasons, and introducing alternative coping mechanisms..

Validating Feelings. Validate Emotions. While working with your child to reduce self-injurious behavior, make sure to validate the emotions they are feeling. Validating your child's feelings shows them that you are supportive and there to listen, especially when they are struggling..

Assessing the Reason. Functional Behavior Assessment.

Helping with Communication. 4). Picture Exchange Communication.

Introducing Incompatible Behaviors. Occupy the Hands.

Avoiding Unintentional Reinforcement. Resist Knee-Jerk Reactions.

Providing Replacement Tools. Sensory Replacement.

Removing or Altering Triggers. Addressing Unpredictability.

Discussing Safe Activities with Friends. Peer Influence.

Chores: Asking for Help. When self-injurious behavior occurs during chores or other tasks, it's important to teach your child to ask for help instead of harming themselves. This can be a valuable skill that reduces the need for self-injury and promotes healthy communication..

A-B-Cs Groundwork for Chores. 1. Identify Interfering Behavior.

Teaching "Asking for Help". 1. Simulate Tolerable Tasks.

Smells: Asking for Break. When your child experiences self-injurious behavior in environments with strong smells, such as a perfume section in a department store, it's important to teach them to ask for a break instead. This replacement behavior can help reduce the need for self-harm and promote healthy communication..

Teaching "Asking for a Break". 1. Simulate Tolerable Smells.

Attention: Asking for Attention. When your child engages in self-injurious behavior to get your attention while you are reading a book, it's important to teach them to ask for attention directly. This replacement behavior can help reduce the need for self-harm and promote healthy communication..