Self-injurious behaviour in Autism Spectrum Disorder_V2_04.07.13
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development and preliminary evaluation of a clinical assessment protocol for self-injurious behaviour in non-verbal children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
IRAS ID
122523
Contact name
Chris Oliver
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Research summary
What are the: a) causes of Self-injurious Behaviour (SIB) in non-verbal children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and b) effects of treatment of a health condition on SIB?
Approximately 50% of non-verbal children with ASD present SIB, such as head banging and self-biting. Self-injury interferes with learning and social interactions and increases the likelihood of hospital treatment, placement breakdown and carer stress. It can begin as early as 12 months of age, persists over many years in around 80% of cases and is often resistant to treatment once established. This indicates that early intervention is warranted.
In order to design an early intervention strategy, a valid and reliable assessment protocol that addresses well documented causes of SIB is essential. We have developed an assessment protocol that requires further evaluation to determine its efficacy at differentiating between the most likely causes of SIB, which include operant learning and pain arising from untreated health conditions, for which well established medical and behavioural interventions already exist.
In this 24 month project (funded by Baily Thomas Charitable Fund) we will:
1) describe SIB in 30 non-verbal children with ASD (aged 2-14) who present regular SIB, recruited from NHS professionals, special education schools and other relevant organisations,
2) identify the operant and pain-related causes of SIB assessed by the most valid and reliable available measures in current clinical use (interviews, questionnaires, psycho-physiological and physical health assessment and observations and experimental analysis of child behaviour),
3) verify the presence / absence of painful health conditions using a physical health assessment conducted by a consultant paediatrician,
4) evaluate the effects of treatment of a health condition on SIB using single-case experimental designs and
5) describe other behavioural characteristics of non-verbal children with ASD who self-injure, including sleep disorder that may be associated with SIB and pain.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0351
Date of REC Opinion
18 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion