Early development of self-injurious behaviour in young children with intellectual disabilities

Self-injurious behaviour (SIB) can be an extremely troublesome and sometimes life-threatening behaviour in people with learning disabilities. Current theoretical models of SIB, derived from prevalence and intervention studies, have been based on known risk and maintenance factors for self-injury. However, extremely little is known about the emergence of SIB. Recent research in the USA has examined the stereotyped behaviour and SIB of young children in early intervention programmes. This researchhas demonstrated that SIB and potentially SIB occur in children with severe disabilities who are younger than 3 years old. Recent research in the UK has examined SIB in young children in special schools and in very young children with Lesch–Nyhan syndrome. Evidence also exists of SIB and proto-SIB in these children, and there is often a background of stereotyped behaviours and/or minor illnesses. Using some methods of analysis, it was possible to predict which children’s SIB would escalate over short periods (e.g.18 months). These children are now being followed-up and the data from the study are reported. The theoretical and service implications of these findings are discussed.