Factors Associated with Self-Injurious Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from Two Large...

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Child Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) are a significant concern in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Identifying risk and protective factors associated with SIB is critical for effective intervention strategies.
• Existing research highlights the complexity of factors contributing to SIB in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between self-injurious behaviors (SIB) and a range of risk and protective factors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• To compare findings across two distinct large-scale datasets: the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network and the Autism Speaks-Autism Treatment Network (AS-ATN).

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from two large databases (ADDM Network and AS-ATN) to identify children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and self-injurious behaviors (SIB).
• Employed multiple imputation techniques to address missing data.
• Applied a non-linear mixed model with site as a random effect to analyze the associations between SIB and various factors.

Main Results:

• Despite variations in data collection methods between the two databases (ADDM records vs. AS-ATN parent questionnaires), consistent associations were observed.
• Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were significantly associated with developmental, behavioral, and somatic factors.
• These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of SIB in ASD.

Conclusions:

• The study identified key developmental, behavioral, and somatic factors associated with self-injurious behaviors (SIB) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Findings provide insights into the potential etiology of SIB and inform the development of targeted interventions.
• Recommendations are made for future longitudinal research and clinical practice to better support individuals with ASD exhibiting SIB.