https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:52:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-injurious-behavior#post-2771795 Wed, 06 Sep 2017 06:13:08 +0000 looch 2771795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shantuck: Yes, agreed. My son would bang his head in his cubby at preschool when he got frustrated, but it's now behavior that's disappeared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-injurious-behavior#post-2771712 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 15:55:02 +0000 elljay 2771712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Similar to other posters, my DS would bite his hands and arms when he would get frustrated with being unable to express himself or being misunderstood. He's pretty much stopped in the last month or two (he's 23 mos) as he's gone through a recent language explosion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-injurious-behavior#post-2771707 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 15:33:59 +0000 MsMini 2771707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS did this for a bit. In his case I began to suspect it was an attention seeking behaviour, so we stopped acknowledging it altogether (it was tough, let me tell you). It did eventually stop when we realized it wouldn't even garner a sideways look. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-injurious-behavior#post-2771673 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:27:14 +0000 josina 2771673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS (almost 3) will sometimes slap his face when he's frustrated or mad, I wouldn't even think to attribute it to autism as he's not delayed in anything; I think/hope it's just a phase.<br /> We ask him to stop and ask him what is upsetting him. I think he just wants attention in that moment and to make sure we are listening to him - it definitely works! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-injurious-behavior#post-2771672 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:25:41 +0000 Shantuck 2771672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My now 5 year old used to do something similar. It started out as banging his head against the side of the crib but sometimes we'd catch him banging his head on the wall or floor. We used to just say something like "Ouch!" and then re-direct his attention and try to engage him in another activity. When I researched this several years ago, I had read that it was fairly normal and more common with boys. It was just a way to express frustration before he became verbal. Unless you're seeing other signs of troubling behavior, I wouldn't worry much about it. Just redirect his attention and he will grow out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-injurious-behavior#post-2771669 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:20:34 +0000 BSB 2771669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mommy Finger: I hope it's a phase, too. </p> <p>@pinkb: They are speech delayed, too. They are picking up many words now. Good idea on the stomping. He already knows how to scream. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-injurious-behavior#post-2771650 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 12:39:48 +0000 pinkb 2771650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD would bite herself from lack of expressive language. She was/ is speech and language delayed. We would stop her and explain it wasn't ok and give her other options. I.e. Stomping or clapping or even screaming to get out the big feelings. Once we got more signs and words it did get better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-injurious-behavior#post-2771644 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 12:29:27 +0000 Mommy Finger 2771644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 used to smack his head against the ground or smack his arm when he was mad. It was just a phase. I just make sure to move him to a carpeted surface when he was smacking his head and told him no and to use gentle touches when he hit himself. Otherwise, I ignored. It went away. I don't remember it being too long of a phase. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-injurious-behavior#post-2771640 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 12:24:03 +0000 BSB 2771640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son has started smacking or hitting himself when he gets upset/angry. He will use his hand to smack himself in the face or head. </p> <p>Has anyone dealt with this? </p> <p>We immediately tell him to stop and sometimes have to pull his hands away. We tell him that he shouldn't be hitting himself. We usually can redirect him after a few minutes. </p> <p>I did Dr. Google it and found this article. The mention of Autism is a bit concerning. The dr has never mentioned autism before. I'll mention it to the dr at their upcoming 2 year appt. </p> <p><a href="http://www.parents.com/advice/toddlers-preschoolers/toddler-health/is-self-harm-a-normal-toddler-trait/" rel="nofollow">http://www.parents.com/advice/toddlers-preschoolers/toddler-health/is-self-harm-a-normal-toddler-trait/</a> </p>