Interventions of Self Injurious Behavior
Saray Javier Crucey
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: College of Education
Major: Applied Behavior Analysis
Faculty Research Mentor: Daphna El Roy
Abstract:
Self-injurious behavior (SIB) refers to individuals harming themselves, resulting in physical injury. These behaviors can manifest in various forms, including hitting, biting, scratching, head-banging, or picking at the skin. Treating SIB is important for safety, quality of life, social interaction, and communication (Edelson, 2024). SIB can result in physical harm, ranging from minor injuries like bruises or scratches to more severe consequences such as head injuries or broken bones. Treating SIB helps mitigate these risks and ensures the individual's safety. Sometimes, self-injurious behaviors serve as a form of communication for individuals with autism, indicating unmet needs or underlying issues. By treating SIB and providing alternative communication strategies, individuals can better express their needs and preferences. A literature search was conducted of effective interventions for problematic behavior including SIB. A survey was developed and distributed to professionals in a public school. The anonymous survey was taken online via Google forms. Procedural questions focused on the participants’ reported experience with using evidence-based procedures from the literature, and their ratings of effectiveness of the procedures they used. I received nine responses from my survey. Eight participants reported using noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) to address challenging behaviors with multiple functions in a child with autism. Of these, 88.9% agreed that it was highly effective, and 11.1% very effective.