@article{ref1,
title="Risk Factors Associated with Self-Injurious Behaviors in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders",
journal="Journal of autism and developmental disorders",
year="2012",
author="Duerden, Emma G. and Oatley, Hannah K. and Mak-Fan, Kathleen M. and McGrath, Patricia A. and Taylor, Margot J. and Szatmari, Peter and Roberts, S. Wendy",
volume="42",
number="11",
pages="2460-2470",
abstract="While self-injurious behaviors (SIB) can cause significant morbidity for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), little is known about its associated risk factors. We assessed 7 factors that may influence self-injury in a large cohort of children with ASD: (a) atypical sensory processing; (b) impaired cognitive ability; (c) abnormal functional communication; (d) abnormal social functioning; (e) age; (f) the need for sameness; (g) rituals and compulsions. Half (52.3%, n = 126) of the children (n = 241, aged 2-19 years) demonstrated SIB. Abnormal sensory processing was the strongest single predictor of self-injury followed by sameness, impaired cognitive ability and social functioning. Since atypical sensory processing and sameness have a greater relative impact on SIB, treatment approaches that focus on these factors may be beneficial in reducing self-harm in children with ASD.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0162-3257",
doi="10.1007/s10803-012-1497-9",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1497-9"
}