Biting behaviour autism. Meltdowns are a sign of distress.

Common forms of self-harm include: biting. Aug 20, 2020 · Self-injurious behaviour. Cognitive differences are common. Self injury can present in a wide range of behaviors including head banging, hand-to-head banging, body slamming, hitting or punching oneself, eyeball pressing, biting oneself, wound picking, and hair pulling. 3. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of Introduction: This study focuses on a boy with autism spectrum disorder presenting with biting behaviors that interfere significantly with functioning. Click on the plus sign for more Apr 12, 2014 · A key area of concern in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are self-injurious behaviors (SIBs). Repetitive behaviors may be intense and uncontrollable. A 2019 study suggests regular physical activity can help a person manage emotions, reduce tension, and relieve stress. rocking, vocal stims, muscle tensing, joint cracking) Autistic meltdowns can last from ten minutes to an hour or longer, but often last at least 20-30 minutes past the removal of the initial trigger (potentially longer if the trigger is not May 1, 2024 · Smelling objects or people. Self-injurious behaviour - behaviour that harms the individual, such as head-banging, or biting hands or arms. Sensory. Jan 26, 2016 · The effects of differential reinforcement of other behaviour (DRO) were investigated for the treatment of severe self-injurious nail biting in an individual diagnosed with autism. Very few epidemiological studies explore the pica occurrence in Nov 1, 2019 · When these behaviors occur in the autistic population they are considered what psychologists refer to as non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors, as there is no apparent intent or willful self-harm. It also covers habits such as nail-biting. A child’s aggression can be directed at self or others, and can be scary for everyone involved. Self-harm can significantly affect your physical and mental health, so it BitePRO® Bite Resistant Clothing Injuries resulting from challenging behaviour are becoming increasingly concerning across the healthcare and education sectors. Sometimes they may bang their head on a wall or punch or slap others or things. Roberts Center for Pediatric Research 5th Floor 2716 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19146. It is important to note that some repetitive behavior may lead to physical harm, such as: Placing dangerous items in the mouth or swallowing them. It is often a way to express or deal with distress. There could be a number of reasons for it. Self Autism Speaks has developed a medication decision aid to help you work with your child’s physician to determine whether this option fits your family’s goals and values. Jul 5, 2024 · What is an autism meltdown? A meltdown is defined as an intense reaction to sensory overwhelm. Self-injurious behaviour is where a person physically harms themselves. Rules of Stimming. Biting. It is a branch of psychology which focuses on the science of behavior and uses a systematic approach to assessing and intervening (Baer et al. In contrast, ADHD diagnosis does not explicitly involve these behaviours. Even though it’s common for children with Autism to bite, it’s something that needs to be addressed. Run around the house or room with increased energy. 1%). This can become self-injurious when an autistic person eats potentially toxic or sharp objects. For example, providing a favorite food before Nov 20, 2018 · While some children do ultimately learn to use biting in a learned behavioral sense to get attention from adults, the majority of times this behavior began as a sensory seeking and organization strategy. Yell sounds louder and longer than usual. The stories are meant to be engaging while also sharing information that can be Aug 20, 2020 · Distressed behaviour includes what would normally be considered physically aggressive behaviour, such as slapping, biting, spitting or hair pulling, but can also include other behaviours if they are having a negative impact on the person or their family. The behaviour has not gotten better over time and she would always explore toys made of hard material ( video 1) this way. But for parents and teachers that do have to deal with their child’s […] Hitting, punching, biting, kicking or pushing (objects, oneself, or others) Intense stimming (e. May 13, 2024 · When children and teenagers hurt themselves, it’s called self-injurious behaviour. Repetitive and restricted behaviors (RRBs) are common traits of autism. It can respond to various triggers or difficulties in communication and self-regulation. offer proactive solutions to combat this complex occupational hazard through a wide range of bite and scratch resistant clothing. These behaviors may be challenging for you and can prevent your child from reaching his full potential. Transcript. 9 Working Together Difficult behaviour like biting is often temporary. Following the implementation of the DRO procedure and Feb 2, 2024 · Biting is a relatively common behavior in children with autism, and it is important for parents and caregivers to address this issue. Sandoval-Norton1. . Many autistic children and teenagers stim, although stimming varies a lot among children. Feb 13, 2024 · Autism-related stimming behaviours tend to involve repetitive motor movements like hand-flapping, finger-snapping, object-spinning, or whole-body rocking. Understanding each function may help you replace unwanted behaviors Jun 16, 2020 · autism [at] chop. Tensing part of their bodies, for example tensing their face so much so that it may shake a little. Low self-worth, impulsivity, and depression may predict self-harm in autistic Apr 15, 2020 · Abstract. Self-harm is when somebody intentionally hurts themselves. Aggression is a common issue for both children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). You might need to ask a third person to join in the game to help demonstrate. Stimming is one of the diagnostic criteria for autism. Some examples include humming, pacing, teeth grinding, and rocking, though there are many others. Aug 28, 2013 · Behaviour that challenges Some people with autism may behave in a way that other people find challenging or difficult (for example, they may become very upset or aggressive). 38–0. Not every child with autism displays aggression. Provide alternative coping strategies. Such actions need to be addressed. The purpose of this research was to establi. The NHS define self-harm as: “When somebody intentionally damages or injures their body. The most common forms of these behaviors include: head-banging, hand-biting, and excessive self-rubbing and scratching. Jan 6, 2018 · Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. 6%), enuresis (15. Head hitting. In a recent study, it was found that as many as 30% of children on the autism spectrum engage in self-injurious behavior like head banging or skin picking. Access. Aggressive behavior can be defined as impulsive behaviors that may injure another person BitePRO® bite resistant arm guards h ave been carefully developed for special educational needs teachers and other professionals working with individuals diagnosed with autism. Banging one’s head against things. They bend. house. Watch out for precursor behaviors (things that may be happening even before the actual behavior is present): mood changes; verbal escalation; anxiety; If you can act on those behaviors, you may be able to avoid the SIB situation altogether. You should be assessed by a member of your autism team to see if this is a problem for you or other people. Children and teenagers lose control of their behaviour and find it very hard to calm themselves. Nail picking, lip picking, skin picking. , Citation 2014). Meltdowns are a sign of distress. The nails are hard and not elastic. 3) Keep a list of the places and. Nail biting, lip biting, hair chewing, shirt chewing. With a significantly reduced risk of getting scratched or bitten Apr 22, 2024 · Self-harm affects around 33 percent of autistic individuals. Jan 31, 2020 · Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors constitute one of two criteria that define autism in the diagnostic manual for psychiatry. 6%), oppositional defiant disorder (36%), separation anxiety disorder (20. There is an option to try and replace stimming behavior, and in some cases this is truly necessary because of the harm the stimming causes. Biting your nails Self-injurious behaviour - a guide for all audiences. Common forms of physical aggression include: Hitting – Hitting can range from slapping with an open hand to punching with a closed fist, with extreme force. When a child with autism is overwhelmed, he/she knows no other way to express it other than with a meltdown. This can be extremely dangerous as kids often eat or mouth things that are either unsanitary, unhealthy in some way or even objects that are sharp that could potentially lead to internal injuries. Sensory stimuli may be overwhelming. These can be hard on both the child and the family and caregivers. t on the individual’s quality of life and lead to lasting physical damages. When an individual acts aggressively and destructively towards other people, things or themselves – hitting, smashing, tearing, biting, etcetera – the possible reasons and triggers for such behaviours are numerous. This is an alarming issue for families with children on the autism spectrum who are looking for the right solution. Jan 1, 2009 · Applied Behavior Analysis: After more than 40 years of research, applied behavior analysis (ABA) has demonstrated its profound effect on individuals with autism (Matson, 2008; Eikeseth, 2008). Hitting can cause injury ranging in degrees of Biting can be scary, as it is harmful to your child and those around him or her. Finally we have prevention. Many children will bite, scratch, kick, hit, and throw things unexpectedly at people. These behaviors may include: Screaming or yelling. cation and Social Work,Queen’s University, BelfastSeptember 2019AbstractSelf-injurious behaviour (S. It's sometimes called self-harm. Self-Injurious Behavior. Restricted behaviors, now typically referred to as fixed interests, might include having an intense focus in a specific activity, object, or Introduction: This study focuses on a boy with autism spectrum disorder presenting with biting behaviors that interfere significantly with functioning. Jul 3, 2024 · A: Aggression in the context of autism refers to behaviors such as hitting, biting, or other physically or verbally harmful actions that individuals with autism may exhibit. Oral fixation involves repetitive chewing behaviors used as a self-soothing technique. The following techniques can help safely end physically aggressive episodes and deter repeat performances of physically aggressive behavior. They may be hyposensitive to oral stimulation and require continuous oral stimulation, which leads to oral-seeking behaviors. Attention. Results: The findings of the Oct 15, 2019 · Here is why fingernails and toenails are in a way near perfect oral fidgets and what we can learn from them. Some children with autism have self-injurious behavior (SIB) such as striking the body with hands or objects, hitting head against a fixed surface, and biting or scratching skin (American Psychiatric Association, 2000; Matson & LoVullo, 2008). One of the most common reasons why autistic individuals bite is to self-stimulate. Use as few words as possible and provide reassurance through self-regulation and calming tools. May 17, 2024 · Management. The behaviours are generally non-goal-directed, occurring both voluntarily and unconsciously. To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears; To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned Aug 25, 2021 · Key points. "Stimming" refers to self-stimulating behaviors. Feb 20, 2024 · Get regular exercise. The most common co-morbid psychiatric disorders in these children were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (74. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by markedly impaired social interaction, impaired communication, and restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. These are behaviors that an individual engages in that may cause physical harm, such as head banging, or self-biting. This might involve emotional verbal outbursts such as screaming and crying or physical reactions like kicking, biting or hitting. These behaviors include but are not limited to biting, hair pulling, head-banging, and skin picking/scratching (Minshawi et al. Light touch, certain sounds and other sensory input can become Social Stories are a fun and easy way to understand ideas, concepts, or behavior in social situations. It is important to remember that life can be exceptionally overwhelming at times for kids with Aspergers and HFA, and that sometimes, the child may engage in a behavior that ith your child’s doctors, teachers or other caregivers. Nov 6, 2023 · Biting behavior in autistic individuals can have various underlying causes. Once the cause is recognized, parents and children can work on a plan to address the behaviors. AddtoAny. A functional behaviour assessment (FBA) identified that the behaviour was maintained by automatic reinforcement. Autism with high support needs, diagnosed as level 3, means someone is living with intense autism traits. Frustration or distress: Sometimes biting can be an expression of sheer frustration or distress in response to a range of different stressors and challenging situations. Children on the spectrum are often affected by sensory processing disorders. 47). You can chew on them. May 18, 2024 · Causes/Treatments. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a widely used questionnaire to assess behavioral and emotional problems (Mazefsky Oct 29, 2020 · The Eschers participate in SPARK, the largest study of autism, to help advance our understanding of the condition. You cannot hurt yourself. Managing Emotions Challenging behaviour can often be diffused by an activity that releases energy or pent up anger or anxiety. Jul 5, 2024 · 1. Jan 26, 2016 · The effects of differential reinforcement of other behaviour (DRO) were investigated for the treatment of severe self-injurious nail biting in an individual diagnosed with autism. Next steps. Stimming or self-stimulating behaviour includes arm or hand-flapping, finger-flicking, rocking, jumping, spinning or twirling, head-banging and complex body movements. All human behavior can be assessed for function. Feb 23, 2018 · A 4-year-old girl with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) developed a new behaviour of biting hard objects over the previous 6 months. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. With contributions by top experts, the book explains various forms of self-injury, discusses the treatment options available, including medical, psychiatric and nutritional Aug 25, 2023 · Summary. Obsessively craving non-food items. g. Jul 31, 2023 · Answer: Children with autism may chew or bite non-edible objects due to sensory processing disorders, specifically in areas of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobe. 1 In addition to challenges caused by core symptoms of the disorder, maladaptive behaviors such as aggression can be associated with ASD and can further disrupt functioning and Sep 12, 2021 · Biting is a behavior that is common among children with autism spectrum disorders. In children with autism, biting is seen as either aggressive or self-stimulating behavior. , are often purposeful and used as coping mechanisms for sensory imbalances. Our guide explains possible causes, things you can do when it happens, and ways you can try to prevent it happening. May 24, 2021 · It’s common for children to explore the world through their mouths, but this is when it could be a sign of something more: Eating non-food items, such as dirt, clay, paint, hair, rocks, and more. By showing concern and sympathy for the person bitten we teach empathy, avoid negative reinforcement of biting behavior, and help the child understand cause and effect. Sometimes an individual may bite themselves or pick at their skin causing severe damage. Picking at sores and scabs. Many kids with autism exhibit Pica behavior, which means they mouth, chew on, or ingest things that aren’t edible. Nail biting is common amongst children and adolescents referred to a child and adolescent mental health clinic. Jun 28, 2022 · Body-based regulations like stimming, jumping, etc. 7%) and obsessive compulsive disorder (11. hitting. It is crucial to stay present with your patient or loved one throughout the entire experience. Self-injury is the attempt or act of causing harm to a person’s own body severe enough to cause damage. Headbanging, scratching, and biting are most common. However, this is a self-stimulatory behaviour. Behavioral therapies might be needed to reduce these types of behaviors. Self-harm can affect anyone at any age but is more common in young people. Topics can range from “Making Eye Contact”, to “Being Patient”, to “Taking Care of Your Electronic Devices. These can include flapping hands or arms, rocking back and forth, spinning in circles, biting or chewing objects, staring at lights or fans, sniffing objects, and avoiding certain textures or sounds. Tasting and chewing on non-food items. Making a plan is really going to be helpful if, while you were assessing, you checked when the behavior happened, as well as when the behavior never happened. An example is head-banging. Treating self-injurious behaviors in autism spectrum disorder. Nail biting . Scratching or rubbing the skin excessively. All audiences. Q: How can a social story help address hitting behavior in individuals with autism? Jul 24, 2021 · One simple (and largely unknown) cause for aggressive behaviour in autism. Dec 13, 2023 · Autistic individuals may engage in a range of unusual sensory behaviors to regulate their sensory systems. Many children with autism have behavior problems. Hair pulling, vomiting, and pica (eating non-edible things such as dirt) are additional forms of self-harm that autistic children may engage in. Oct 8, 2023 · Chewing can be a self-stimulatory behavior. Once hitting starts, it can become dangerous for the child and for others. Last updated on Jun 16, 2020 in CAR Autism Roadmap™. Scratching, rubbing, or picking at skin. A meltdown is not the same as a temper tantrum. It may be verbal (shouting, screaming, cursing) and/or physical ( hitting, kicking, biting, destroying property, self-injury). The first thing a parent must do is figure out the underlying causes of the child’s nail-biting. Sign up for a free workshop to start turning autism around: https Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Below is a list of difficulties autistic people may share, including the two key difficulties required for a diagnosis. B) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common occurrence. Punching. Depending on the trigger, it may not be easy to remove. Screaming. Jun 5, 2013 · There is a slang word that people in the autism community use to describe the noises and movements they sometimes make to feel calmer. ADHD stimming (self-stimulatory behavior) occurs when a person with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder unconsciously repeats certain movements or sounds. Self-stimulating behavior, also known as stimming, such as flapping or rocking. The American Disabilities Association even considers biting a possible sign of Autism. Strategies to prevent aggression include working with your child’s therapists and teachers to create calming, predictable, and rewarding Self-injurious behavior is one of the most devastating behaviors exhibited by people with developmental disabilities. This type of stimming can be problematic because it could damage the teeth or nails or lead to the swallowing of foreign objects. , 1968). Most often, children with autism who bite (either themselves or others) do it for self-stimulating purposes. Pica - which means eating things other than food. Biting your nails or chewing on an eraser or toys are stims. 2. Gary Shkedy2, Dalia Shkedy3 * and Aileen H. 1-866-570-6524. These activities can help ease angry outbursts Jul 5, 2024 · A behavioral specialist or autism specialist that is trained in autism and aggression may recommend parents to fill out a Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), to help understand the function and purpose of the negative behaviors. A study of children and teenagers with autism found that 68 percent had been Nov 12, 2021 · Never encourage a child to bite back, or bite the child to make this point. This might be head banging on floors, walls or other surfaces, hand or arm biting, hair pulling, eye gouging, face or head slapping, skin picking, scratching or pinching, forceful head Aug 31, 2023 · Through behaviours like biting, head banging, screaming or scratching, children on the Autism spectrum express their feelings, needs, and desires, bypassing words to convey what’s in their hearts. That behaviour may include head banging, hand or arm biting, hair pulling, eye gouging, face or head slapping or punching, skin picking, scratching or pinching. Once he is enjoying the game, stop the play using clear body language. The behaviour can have a detrimental effe. 6%), tic disorder (12. Other stim toys that fulfill sensory needs met by harmful autistic behaviors. These may include difficulty in processing Oct 18, 2020 · Although there have been few large-scale studies examining the prevalence of aggression in children with autism spectrum disorder, it is estimated that around 50% of children and adolescents on the spectrum regularly engage in aggressive behavior. Jan 8, 2021 · Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by markedly impaired social interaction, impaired communication, and restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. Repetitive behaviors might include repetitively rocking the body or opening and closing drawers over and over. So show him how to play by gently tagging him as you say “tag” and then jump away to invite him to tag you. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by social communication deficits and inflexible, repetitive patterns of behavior that are present from early in life and which result in significant limitations in adaptive functioning []. Method: This was a single-case study design examining how techniques of applied behavior analysis May 14, 2024 · repetitive behaviour – for example, opening and closing doors or flicking switches; vocal stimulation – humming, whistling, grunting, or repeating words or phrases; chewing or mouthing objects; listening to the same song or noise over and over. More than half of kids and teens with autism may be physically aggressive toward caregivers or other kids and grown-ups. 4) Keep non-food items you. People with autism may stim to cope with sensory overload, to communicate, to Emotionally challenging behaviours - aggressive shouting or using derogatory language. Biting is a way to express feelings and relieve tension. Other behavior problems can include: Sep 7, 2022 · Method: This was a single-case study design examining how techniques of applied behavior analysis can be utilized to decrease the frequency of the child's biting behavior and increase more Key findings. Very few epidemiological studies explore the pica occurrence in Make an Autism and Hitting Plan. Diagnostic Criteria for ASD . Dec 5, 2023 · Avoidance. Imagine their struggle to communicate with conventional words, like navigating through a maze with missing vital pieces. In. Following the implementation of the DRO procedure and access to reinforcing stimuli that were believed Jun 9, 2017 · Aggression in children with autism can take many forms, such as hitting, kicking, scratching, biting or destroying property. Nails are pointy that can feel good against the tongue area. In the present study, data from 14,379 participants in thirty-seven papers were analysed to generate a pooled prevalence estimate of self-injury in autism of 42% (confidence intervals 0. Self-injurious behaviour is purportedly common in autism, but prevalence rates have not yet been synthesised meta-analytically. Apr 3, 2023 · Disruptive Behavior and Autism Spectrum Disorder. They may be nonverbal and be unable to engage with people. At the same time, though, biting is a fairly normal behavior. In typically developing children, biting is seen as an aggressive behavior. May 5, 2016 · Jessica Kingsley Publishers, May 5, 2016 - Education - 304 pages. Abstract: Self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) are “a class of behaviors, often highly repetitive and rhythmic, that result in physical harm to the individual displaying the behavior. Fortunately, she has not sustained any injury, choked on or swallowed these objects. 2) Keep track of. Identify the triggers. Then prompt him to say, “Play with me,” if he wants to play more. Data are presented for an 8-year old boy diagnosed with ASD who displayed severe food refusal in both his school and residential Jumping up and down intensely. Oct 26, 2017 · 2. It includes head banging, hand or arm biting, and scratching or pinching. 4. Apr 10, 2013 · In children with autism, biting is seen as either aggressive or self-stimulating behavior. They are extremely comfortable and user friendly, and they can be worn for an extended amount of time. Having a child who engages in problem behavior can make daily tasks May 24, 2021 · It’s common for children to explore the world through their mouths, but this is when it could be a sign of something more: Eating non-food items, such as dirt, clay, paint, hair, rocks, and more. It includes the repetitive use of an object, such as flicking a rubber band or twirling a piece of string, or repetitive activities involving the senses (such as It happens when someone becomes completely overwhelmed by their current situation and temporarily loses control of their behaviour. Sep 15, 2018 · 2. A complete guide for parents and practitioners on understanding and treating self-injury in autism (ASD). Research suggests that 50% of autistic people engage in some form of self-injurious behaviour, even if it is only once in their lifetime. For my oldest son, biting stemmed from seeking oral motor input combined with limited speech and language skills at the time. This loss of control can be expressed verbally (eg shouting, screaming, crying), physically (eg kicking, lashing out, biting) or in both ways. BitePRO® UK and BitePRO® USA Inc. Self-injurious behavior (SIB) like hand biting or head banging. There are generally three things to check out right away: How you (and the people around you) react to the aggressive behavior. But this domain encompasses a wide range of traits that may appear in a variety of combinations, and with different severity, among people with autism. SIBs are more common in children with ASD than those who are typically developing or have other neurodevelopmental Feb 21, 2023 · Autism and oral fixation are linked through sensory processing disorders. edu. This can include hitting, kicking and biting. Some research suggests that children with autism are more likely to show aggressive behaviors than typically Jan 13, 2023 · Children with Autism often have a difficult time meeting their oral sensory needs; hence they may resort to biting. Self-harm. Like all people, autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. In addition, few investigations have demonstrated remediation of chronic food refusal for children with ASD in naturalistic settings. Noted interventions or strategies to decrease the behavior include reinforcement of alternative behaviors or reinforcement of incompatible behaviors which means reinforcing a behavior that is an alternative for the problem behavior or one that ‘interferes’ with the self – injurious behavior. After fully assessing the hitting, make a plan around how to prevent hitting. Method: This was a single-case study design examining how techniques of applied behavior analysis can be utilized to decrease the frequency of the child’s biting behavior and increase more adaptive behaviors. The reasons for stimming can vary depending on the person and environment. Self-harm (hitting or biting self) Destruction (throwing or breaking objects) Pica (eating inedible objects) Elopement (running away or wandering off) Tantrums. Understanding the reasons behind biting in autistic children can help in managing and reducing this challenging behavior. For Feb 13, 2000 · Results. ow often your child displays pica behavior in a notebook. Jul 5, 2024 · July 5, 2024. The frustration and challenging behaviour they can display when not being able to meet this sensory need can often be understood for aggressive behaviour from the outside. A Functional Analysis by a behavior therapist will help produce a good behavior intervention plan. Jun 25, 2021 · Dr. Bang any part of their body more vigorously with either their own hand or an object. Also, shift your attention to the person who was bitten rather than focus on the biter. A lack of research means we do not know how many autistic people self-harm. There are many social stories for autism. When autistic children and teenagers feel completely overwhelmed, they can have meltdowns. situations where your child puts things in his/her mouth. head banging. More than a quarter of children with autism spectrum disorder show disruptive behaviors. child frequently atempts to eat out of his or her. The 4 functions of behavior are avoidance, access, attention, and sensory. ”. Self-injurious autistic stims and their alternatives. Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who display feeding difficulties appear to be a frequent, yet understudied phenomenon. The term ‘self injurious behaviour’ usually refers to any behaviour, initiated by the individual, which directly results in physical harm to that individual. Mary Barbera discusses autism, biting, and how to reduce biting in children with autism. 1 In addition to challenges caused by core symptoms of the disorder, maladaptive behaviors such as aggression can be associated with ASD and can further disrupt functioning and Sep 29, 2022 · For children with autism, the most common forms of self-harm include: Head banging. Fingernails and toenails can break into little pieces by tearing them apart. This might be punching a cushion, bouncing on a trampoline or running around the garden. Aggression, such as hitting, biting, scratching, hair-pulling, or kicking another person, is relatively common in children on the autism spectrum. Self-injurious hand hitting, digging fingernails into skin, etc. According to Autism Spectrum Australia, biting can provide sensory stimulation, which can help autistic individuals regulate their emotions and reduce anxiety. fl ft fo cl fv mf lw xa jb zr