Self Injurious Behaviour in Children with Intellectual Disability

Prof. Chris Oliver, Dr Louise Davies and Dr Caroline Richards. Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Birmingham.

This briefing has been written to help parents and carers of children with an intellectual disability to understand what self-injury is, what the causes are and which interventions are effective. The briefing focuses on children with profound to moderate intellectual disability, who may also have autism spectrum disorder or a genetic syndrome.

Please note: For children with mild intellectual disability the causes of self-injury and the most effective interventions may be different and more information can be found at Young Minds for Parents.

Published 2013. This edition 2019. Review date 2022.

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