Citation

Laverty C, Oliver C, Moss J, Nelson L, Richards C. Mol. Autism 2020; 11: e8.

Affiliation

Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/s13229-019-0307-z

PMID

31988707

PMCID

PMC6971887

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Self-injurious behaviours, such as head banging, hair pulling, skin picking and scratching, are common in individuals with autism. Despite high prevalence rates, there is a paucity of longitudinal research to refine models of risk and mechanism and inform service planning. In this longitudinal study, we investigated self-injury in a cohort of individuals with autism over 10 years to identify behavioural and demographic characteristics associated with persistent self-injury.

METHODS: Carers of 67 individuals with autism completed questionnaires relating to the presence of self-injury and relevant risk markers at T₁ (mean [SD] age in years 13.4 [7.7]) and T₃ (mean [SD] age in years 23.9 [7.7]) 10 years later. Forty-six of these also took part at T₂ (3 years after initial participation). Analysis assessed demographic and behavioural risk markers for self-injury, as well as the predictive value of items assessed at T₁and T_2. RESULTS: Self-injury was persistent in 44% of individuals over the 10-year period, with behavioural characteristics of impulsivity (p <.001) and overactivity (p =.002), identified as risk markers for persistence. A predictive model of self-injury was derived from LASSO analysis, with baseline impulsivity, interest and pleasure, stereotyped behaviour, social communication and adaptive functioning predicting self-injury over 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS: In this unique longitudinal investigation into the persistence of self-injury in a non-clinical sample of individuals with autism over a 10 year period, we have identified a novel, robust and stable profile of behavioural characteristics associated with persistent self-injury.

FINDINGS support an early intervention strategy targeted towards individuals identified to be at a higher risk of developing self-injurious behaviour.

© The Author(s). 2020.

Language: en

Keywords

Autism; Impulsivity; Prevalence; Risk marker; Self-injury; Self-restraint