CHILD’S HEALTH/SPECIFIC PROBLEMS BEHAVIOURS: HEAD-BANGING PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

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CHILD’S HEALTH/SPECIFIC PROBLEMS BEHAVIOURS: HEAD-BANGING PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Treatment

Because this behaviour is always transitory and self-limited, and there are never any consequences, no intervention is necessary. Parents should be reassured that it is harmless, despite the vigour with wich the activity the activity is pursued, and the best course of action is to ignore it. There is no effective intervention that will reduce the frequency or duration of the head-banging, or will result in making it disappear any more quickly than it otherwise would have.

Some parents, concerned about the consequences of head-banging, try to stop it by smacking the child, or otherwise punishing him. This will often have the opposite result to the desired effect. By drawing further attention to the activity, there is a very good chance that it will continue longer than it otherwise would have, because the behaviour is being reinforced by the parents paying attention to it.

Prevention

There is nothing effective that can be done to prevent head-banging, because it is not known why some children exhibit this behaviour. It is important to simply ignore the behaviour so as to ensure that paying attention to it does not prolong it.

When to see your doctor

You may want to see your doctor for reassurance that the child is not hurting himself, especially if there is evidence of bruising or swelling. There is generally no need to seek medical advice.

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