ADVICE NEEDED! How To Stop, Hitting, Punching, Pinching, and Pulling Hair.

Real Moms Sharing Their Experiences and Advice

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Question: Has anyone experienced their child hitting, punching, pinching and pulling their own hair out? My daughter has gotten increasingly more self injurious and we are very concerned. There seems to be (well that we can pinpoint) zero triggers, one second she is happy singing, the next literal second she us throwing herself and ripping her hair out. She is non verbal and blind. We are suspicious of her seizure meds but can’t pinpoint for sure. The more we try to deter or deescalate the behavior the worse she escalates. We used a therapy helmet to cover her hair, and she started pinching and bruising her leg? She does the same at school. Any suggestions?? I’ve been in tears for days. — feeling frustrated.

Answers:

Beth-Ann B. This is common in blind children with delays. The stimulation gives them something to feel even if it is negative. Sometimes it increases with nearing puberty. An OT eval might provide you with some options. Good luck!
Sherry B. Make sure there isn’t a medical reason for the behavior; could she be having a headache? My daughter is nonverbal & when she has behavior I can’t explain I first assume she is in pain or not feeling well. I give her some ibuprofen and see if that helps before looking at other reasons. Also talk to the neurologist maybe try a different seizure med to see if that stops the behavior especially if you started this med not long before the behaviors started. Good luck.
Jayne K. Keppra caused much anger and hair pulling for us. We used to have to shave her head because of the excessive pulling and we thought she may be ingesting the hair as well because she would then rub the hair on her lips. She was also a kicking, biting, door slamming girl. She is now on topamax for seizures and clonidine for anxiety and she is a different person. Hugs and good luck to you.
Tee A. Dear Mom,
I just wanted to send you a virtual hug.
I can’t offer any advise. I don’t have those issues with my son, and I can’t imagine what you’re going through. All I can do is keep you and your daughter in my prayers and tell you that I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Hang in there.
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Judy H. My son is 9 and verbal. I catch him slapping or puching himself in the face. I ask him why and sometimes he’s hardly aware he’s doing it. Its like a repetitive behavior of his. We don’t see it all the time. He has PDD-NOS and ADHD. I suspect its a sensory thing and he’s needing some kind of sensory input. Lately when he does it I offer him deep pressure massages. On the back, shoulders arms, and I even massage his face. At those times I see his body literally release tension and he becomes very relaxed. So I think he just needed something but wasn’t sure what and the hitting/punching made him feel good.
Monica J. Sounds like sensory-seeking behavior. Some kids’ stim by hurting themselves because the pain actually feels “good” to them. Can you provide her with some other way to regulate herself? Is she receiving any OT? I would look for suggestions from a professional before it escalates further. It might be as easy as adding some “heavy work” to her daily routine or getting her a weighted vest or a hand fidget…
Teresa R. Vitamin B6 can counteract the irritability caused by Keppra. It worked for us.
Mary Kay F.My son does this. It is the hardest thing to watch.
Darlynn S. prayers for your angel.
Jena T. We use no-no sleeves (arm splints). Benik makes an awesome pair out of neoprene, an OT or PT would measures your daughter.
Hair pulling & SIB is often associated with anxiety, does she take anything for anxiety?
Misty H. My son is blind too. He started pulling his hair, biting, pinching and hitting himself last month at random. One morning I woke him up to find bite marks imprinted in his arm and a giant bruise surrounding. I know that had to of hurt. I immediately reach out to all his therapist and all said the same… that he was looking for sensory input.
We now spend a lot of time keeping him moving. He is only 3 so we jump on the bed mostly and since we started this new movement routine he has not hurt himself anymore except for when he is mad.
Anna K. how does she communicate? That could be your answer.
Marisa J. One of my friends sons had an increase in violent behavior on a seizure med (I can’t remember which one, but I know it was supposed to contain a mood stabilizer as well). So it’s very possible. My daughter is on Lamictal, and I haven’t noticed any negative side effects, except when she misses a dose.,
Gladys L. My son is also blind. I had some issues with behavior. Is your daughter in any kind of program, because my son had a assistant that helped him to learn sign language he eventually started to speak. I was told frustration would make him hurt himself. With speech he got better, I was quite content with my son. Music is something he enjoys to this day. Blind association is a good place to start also. How old is your daughter? My son 33 years old. Music, swimming, walking out in the community is what he enjoys the most. She needs a outlet also. Hope you find your answers.
Stacy P. My autistic son use to do these things when he was little. He would also bang his head against the wall to the point it scared anyone that was around him. I notice if there was a slight change in his schedule or routine would cause his meltdowns. Not sure if maybe that could be the issue but keep a journal of everything going on from the things she eats to activities and so on might help you with the triggers.
Trichia T.What seizure meds is she taking.

Keppra can cause increased aggression.
If your child is on this med, I’d contact the doctor and have it changed. I did
Krista R. My son was on Tegretol and had episodes of head banging. W changed his meds and he stopped immediately.
Rachel M. Yes… First a BIG VIRTUAL HUG FROM SYDNEY AUSTRALIA!!! My daughter bites her left hand… Hard on both sides… It kills me,, but her anxiety & frustration ( ASD/sensory & auditory processing disorders & globally delayed) is GREAT.. . I try to calm her but am also consoled that she never hurts others.. I believe its frustration based… Good luck. Blessings.

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ADVICE NEEDED! How To Stop, Hitting, Punching, Pinching, and Pulling Hair.

Real Moms Sharing Their Experiences and Advice

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