Self-injurious behavior in mental retardation

Self-injurious behavior occurs in the context of mental retardation. Some genetic syndromes are particularly likely to include self-injury as part of their behavioral phenotype. Advances in the understanding of developmental influences on the expression of self-injury in persons with syndromal mental retardation, as well as knowledge gained from animal models of self-biting behavior will continue to inform the treatment of this significant clinical problem.