Heterogeneity of Self-Injurious Behaviors in Autistic Youth: Patterns, Predictors, and Intervention Implications

This study analyzed self-injurious behavior (SIB) severity across 582 autistic youth, finding that 30-50% of caregivers reported concern about specific behaviors such as nail biting, skin scratching, and head-banging. Results identified distinct associations between different SIB topographies and factors including dysregulation, sensory sensitivity, age, sex, IQ, and language level, supporting individualized assessment approaches for intervention development.