A Review of Self-Injurious Behavior and Pain in Persons with Developmental Disabilities

An Investigation of Factors Predictive of Continued Self‐Injurious Behaviour in an Intellectual Disability Service

“…1998), receiving considerable research attention (Murphy 1999). Prevalence rates of SIB in community settings vary, with current estimates between 2% and 12% (Emerson 1992), with some studies reporting an upper limit of closer to 50% (Symons & Thompson 1997). Murphy (1999) concluded that severe SIB was a chronic problem, based on Murphy et al.…”

Self‐injurious behavior: Gene–brain–behavior relationships

“…In many of these cases, SIB is also present [Symons and Thompson, 1997]. The link between injury and pain can be highly variable and difficult to predict.…”

“…Additionally, there appear to be subgroups of individuals with developmental disabilities for whom normal pain transmission is impaired. In many of these cases, SIB is also present [Symons and Thompson, 1997]. In autism and related pervasive developmental disorders, for example, it has long been recognized that many individuals have reduced sensation or responses to presumably painful stimuli.…”

Combination Therapy Reduces Self-injurious Behavior in a Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes Troglodytes): A Case Report

“…Research in humans has shown that SIB can sometimes develop as a response to painful clinical conditions and be subsequently reinforced and maintained through social attention or other environmental variables and ultimately generalize to a wide range of situations (Carr, 1977;Carr & McDowell, 1980). Humans afflicted with SIB of an initial organic etiology (ear infections) have been successfully treated through a combination of intervention methods (Symons & Thompson, 1997). Pharmacological treatment can address underlying clinical conditions, whereas behavior modification techniques combat the social and environmental reinforcers that maintain the behavior (Carr & McDowell, 1980;Smolev, 1971).…”

“…A preexisting clinical condition that has gone unchecked due to the nonverbal nature of the afflicted individual complicates treatment and makes a monotherapeutic approach less likely to be effective because it may only target one facet of a multifaceted disorder. Symons and Thompson (1997) noted: "Indeed, there are certain patterns of problem behavior where the biological and social mechanisms are so inextricably intertwined that rarely can a single approach to treatment fully improve the situation" (p. 69). Although the presence of painful clinical conditions has not been widely researched in SIB nonhuman primates, it is possible that these individuals might be successfully treated using a combination therapy approach similar to those employed in human populations.…”