my daughter has autism and wont stop banging her head off the floor when shes upset how will i stop her?

Question

she is only 4 in august,her tantrums are getting worse every day i have told the doctor but she just said to put a pillow under her head,i cant do that if im not at home though,it has got me really worried she might do her self serious damage

my daughter is not able to communicate with us

Answer 1

Each child is different and will have different needs, but I would recommend trying several things.

First, you might consider looking into why she is engaging in the behaviors you mentioned. Make clear and objective descriptions of the behaviors that are concerning you. Then, make some notes whenever the behavior occurs. You could make a chart with three columns: (A) What happens before the behavior, (B) What the behavior was, and (C) What happened after or as a result of the behavior.

You may find that it gets her attention from adults, or that it gets her a time-out (maybe she is overwhelmed in the situation and wants to be removed). If you see a pattern from the information you collect, you could teach her other ways to get attention or whatever she is gaining from doing these behaviors. These could include, tapping someone on the shoulder, asking for attention, handing someone a card that says, "attention please" or "all done" (to get permission to leave an area), etc. Also, make sure that you are giving her praise or a reinforcer (something she likes) when she is engaging in positive behavior.

To find out more about this technique, I would suggest speaking to your school district's autism specialist, if they have one, or special education teachers (if your son is in school). It is called "functional analysis." You may also want to look up "positive behavior support."


Another good answer was the one that recommended DRO (differential reinforcement of other behaviors). You may want to try this, too (at different times). At least the part about the DRO; I personally don't agree with the use of a shock device, particularly at her young age.

You also mentioned that your daughter does not communicate with you. This may be the cause of some of her frustration. You may want to consider an alternative communication system. Try searching for "Picture Exchange Communication System" (also known as PECS).

Try different things to see what works for your child and your family! Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

It's a really tough thing to deal with, especailly if your not home all the time when she does it. I would say try to physically stop her gently as possible and tell her it's not ok and that it can hurt her. She amy not understand at first but she will learn eventually. See if you cna figure out why she does it. It sounds to me like she's frustrated for some reason. She may not be able to verbally tell you what's wrong but maybe you can tell by body language, ect. See if there is a pattern to when or why she does it. Watch for "triggers". It will take a while but hopefully she will learn.The pillow idea isn't bad either. I would just inform whoever is watching her of what you are trying to do to help her and make sure you have consistancy and repitition. it's very important.

Answer 3

I'm sure this is frustrating and even scary. Get some help if you have the resources. There are specialists (often psychologists) who work specifically with these kinds of difficulties. If she has been diagnosed with Autism, she is entitled to special services, often even outside of school, depeding on where you live.

Otherwise, from what I understand, try to ignore her headbanging and don't give her what she wants (if it is a tantrum). It is important to reward her for STOPPING headbanging or NOT headbanging in a situation where she normally might.

I am not an expert, but it might lead you in the right direction.

Answer 4

I am getting a masters degree in school psychology. These are 2 treatments that I have read about in my textbooks that have been most effective:

Use DRO (differential reinforcement of other behavior). Try to fix the situation to where she's upset during mealtime (when she hasn't eaten in 5 hours or so, very hungry). Feed her in small increments every three minutes that she does not bang her head. She will learn that she only gets food when she does not bang her head. Her head banging will be extinguished.

Or, if the head banging is hurting her badly physically, you need to buy a device that gently shocks her every time she bangs her head. Her headbanging will be punished and it will stop. Kids that bang their heads eventually become desensitized to the pain and hit themselves harder and harder just to feel it. Your daughter can damage her brain. This is very serious. This device can be purchased through her physician.

Answer 5

Please get professional help. They can offer you respite so you can leave for whatever reason, work or just to go shopping, and your child can get the professional care while you are away. They will even offer you courses to take to help your little one. I would hold my child until he stopped. This was very hard on both of us, but as he got bigger, it got harder. A pillow does help, yes, and water! It has a real calming effect like swimming or just a bath. I let mine play in the dishwater in the sink with toys on a stool. Make sure there is always supervision.


I have him attend special camps now. It helps alot and I am told my child is highly functioning. Which sounds good, but what it really means is that he's mentally challenged because of his autism, and they don't have anything out there to help him beyond his 18th year, so I am stuck and I will continue to fight for him. So good luck.

Answer 6

I sympathise with you I had a girl friend for years suffering from the same illness.I am sorry to tell you at this time no cure is available.Look at the Autism Website it may help you handle the situation better.

It isnt a matter of getting her a crash hat to wear that is exactly what she wants you to do.Give her Love but be firm.I suppose she will be having trouble getting friends also.....Talking with others never helped my girl and at present up to dreadful things.but she keeps in touch often and do not stand any noncese anymore.But I ensure her safety little known to her.....

Please keep trying

Answer 7

Put a pillow down. Her actions are natural and 'right' for autism. You must decide on whether you want her to be "socialized" (losing battle) or accept her just as she is with her sweet, precious self and think of solutions outside the box.

Answer 8

If she has been diagnosed with autism, you need to look up the early childhood intervention programs. If you have some money, look up D.A.N. doctors (Defeat Autism Now) and they can come up with some solutions for you. I know there is a team of them in Florida and don't know where the others are.

Answer 9

i have a bruv with autism, when he gets upset he used to bite his hand untill it bled.
we managed to cgange this habbit so that when he gets upset he no bites this little pin pillow thing (no pins in it tho :S)
u could always try getting her to gradually bring her away from this maybe start getting her to bang her head off a teaddy or cushion or something like that and slowly bring it smaller so that in the end she will be doing no harm to herself.
btw i hope u can do something about it soon i know how hard it is when you cant get them to understand

Answer 10

I used to look after a boy with autism in a out of school club and when he got upset he would run away which was totally unacceptable, but explaining this to him was hard. so we came to a compromise and decided on a "safe place" he could run to if upset but that he had to tell us when he was going.
why don't you try and come up with a simpler compromise for you and your daughter for example let her take her upset out by throwing something (out side) as hard and as far as she wants.
depending on her age of course.
i hope this made sense and was of some help.