Self-Injurious Behavior

1. Self Injurious Behaviors Stephanie Underhill Teghan Pecherski Kristen Hague Ryan Duffy Samantha

2. Introduction Self Injurious Behavior (SIB) includes: S elf-harm C utting S elf-poisoning Substance abuse defined as the intentional, direct injuring of body tissue most often done without suicidal intentions

3. Understanding SIB Way of coping with problems May help express feelings that can’t be put into words Sadness, self-loathing, emptiness, guilt, rage . Does not solve the underlying issue. It’s only a temporary solution

4. Background of Self-Injurers The person seeking treatment is usually from a middle class to upper class background, of average to high intelligence, and has low self-esteem Nearly 50% report physical and/or sexual abuse during his or her childhood. As high as 90% report that they were discouraged from expressing emotions, particularly anger and sadness. More common in females than in males.

5. Examples of SIB Drugs and Alcohol EBD Depression/Anxiety Schizophrenia Abuse ADD/ADHD Stress

6. Reasons for Behaviors Self-injurers commonly report they feel: Empty inside Over or under stimulated Unable to express their feelings Lonely Not understood by others Fearful of intimate relationships and adult responsibilities.

7. Signs and Symptoms If you see students with: Unexplained wounds or scars Blood stains Covering up (long sleeves/pants in hot weather) Isolation or Irritability Low self-esteem Difficulty handling feelings Poor functioning at school

8. How to deal with a student who is self-harming Establish a close relationship with them so they feel comfortable Give them an alternate way to express themselves (painting, journals, music) Offer support and communication If problem is severe, seek medical help (therapist, psychologist)

9. INTRO TO SPECIAL ED SIB Common forms of SIB include… Head-hitting Head-banging Excessive scratching Wrist / Hand-biting In the most severe cases, SIB can result in… R etinal detachment B lindness B roken bones Bleeding D eath

10. Autism 15% of individuals with autism display SIB SIB Autism

11. Causes Physiological Social Frustration Communication Social attention To obtain tangibles Important to record Data should include: Physical / social environment Lighting / sound Who is interacting with child Time day / day of week / how often Data Collection

12. CPI Crisis Prevention Institute MUST BE TRAINED! How to properly restrain a child Video on CPI

13. Intervention Behavior chart – reward with music, video, games, reading, toys- something they like. (up to the discretion of the teacher and parents) CPI Positive reinforcement. Differential Reinforcement Alternative Behavior (DRA) Music Therapy, Massage Techniques, and Sensory Stimulation Remain calm

14. Conclusion What is SIB? What are some examples of SIB? How can educators help students who demonstrate signs of SIB?

15. Who would have thought love could cost so much Every mark on a body shows the lust As every word said is full of trust Who would have thought a love could cause such pain To leave a heart with nothing to gain Who would have thought that the passion inside Would drive her crazy To the point she would want to die Who would have thought a girl would want so much Every word from your mouth And even your touch A touch from your hands A sweet kiss from your lips A hand to hold And a heart she can give Who would have thought a love could cost so much For her to hide the pain in all her cuts Who would have thought her scars were real Her escape route is how she deals To hide the sorrow And what runs through her mind She cuts to feel alive. - Self Abuser (http://www.ibuzzle.com/articles/a-body-of-scars-poem.html)

16. R esources http://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/diagnoses-disorders/behavioral-disordersself-injurious-behavior http://www.crisisprevention.com/About-CPI http://www.autism.com/index.php/symptoms_self-injury http:// www.academia.edu/1908529/Autism_Self-Injurious_Behaviour_SIB_in_the_school_environment_a_research_report_from_a_specialized_school_in_England http://www.mhai.org/Self_Injury.pdf