Prevalence and Predictors of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objectives: To find the prevalence as well as to identify the predictors as protective and risk factors of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: In this analytical cross sectional survey 83 children with ASD age range from 8 to 18 years were selected through convenient sampling technique from five special schools of Lahore city. The Urdu form of a standardized tool was used to assess NSSI. Results: Statistical analysis indicated overall point prevalence of NSSI was 33%. Moreover banging/self-beating (47%), scratching (38), pinching (35%), picking scabs (33%), self-biting (32%), pulling hair (30%) and rubbing skin (19%) emerged as common forms of challenging behavior. Further regression analysis showed that age B(1.68*, P<0.05), gender B(3.72, P<0.001) and severity level of ASD B(1.85***, p<0.0001) as risk factors/positive predictors of NSSI. However early intervention (-0.66***, P<0.0001) and involvement of parents in counselling (-2.66*, P<0.05) emerged as protective factors/negative predictors of NSSI among children with ASD. Conclusion: Non-suicidal self-injury is a serious challenge among children with ASD. Early intervention, counselling and parental involvement in managing the children with ASD will not only prevent but reduce the challenging behaviors.