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Brief Report: Prevalence of Self-injurious Behaviors among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder-A Population-Based

Gnakub N Soke1, Steven A Rosenberg2, Richard F Hamman3

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Heath, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. Gnakub.soke@ucdenver.edu.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|August 28, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) affect over 27% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the US. This population-based study highlights the prevalence of SIB in this group, urging clinical attention.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Pediatric Health
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) are a significant concern in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Previous estimates of SIB prevalence in ASD were primarily from clinic-based studies, potentially overestimating or underestimating the true occurrence.
  • Understanding the population-level prevalence of SIB in children with ASD is crucial for public health initiatives and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the prevalence of self-injurious behaviors (SIB) in a large, population-based sample of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States.
  • To provide a more accurate understanding of SIB occurrence in children with ASD beyond clinical settings.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, including 8065 children meeting the ASD case definition.
  • Included surveillance years 2000, 2006, and 2008.
  • Assessed SIB presence based on expert clinician review of available health and/or educational records.

Main Results:

  • The average prevalence of SIB across all sites and surveillance years was 27.7%.
  • Variations in SIB prevalence were observed between different geographic sites.
  • This population-based finding is consistent with, yet refines, previous clinic-based estimates.

Conclusions:

  • Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) are prevalent in a significant portion of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the general population.
  • Clinicians should proactively screen for and inquire about SIB during routine assessments of children diagnosed with ASD.
  • Further research may explore factors contributing to site variations in SIB prevalence within the ASD population.

Keywords:
AutismAutism spectrum disorderChallenging behaviorsPrevalenceSelf-injurious behaviors

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