Its not a topic we like to talk about but self-harming can be a reality for many parents with special needs children. For a comprehensive fact sheet on self-harming read more here.
Positive behaviour therapy is seen as the gold standard. Quick fixes might be necessary at times Although these strategies do stop or explain challenging behaviour, and result in people with disabilities having poor quality lives and in some cases even their human rights denied. Australia is a signatory to the UN Convention
on the rights of persons with disabilities in 2008 which promotes that every person of any age with a disability, for example, has the right to make choices, full participation and inclusion in society, respect for difference and acceptance as part of a diverse humanity, equality of opportunity.
ASPECT have produced a useful guide to positive behaviour support.
Some of the reasons for self-harm could include:
- to manage emotions
- the belief that punishment is deserved
- low self-esteem
- poor body image
- self-hatred
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- strong feelings of anxiety or depression
- emotional numbness (feeling physical pain is ‘better’ than feeling nothing)
- a response to physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
However sometimes safety comes first and parents need to quickly access protective gear before the benefits of positive behaviour can be seen.
Here are some websites with options for protective headgear:
