Behavioral Treatment of Self-Injury: 2001 to 2016

Individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) frequently exhibit self-injurious behavior (SIB). Previous research has examined the published literature on behavioral treatments of SIB from 1964-2000. Results suggested that these treatments were highly efficacious at decreasing SIB, particularly when based on the results of a functional assessment. The purpose of this review is to update, replicate, and extend the previous research. The current findings indicate an increase in studies reporting automatically maintained SIB as well as less efficacious treatments overall. Discussion of our conclusions and methods of SIB assessment and treatment are discussed, both as they relate to the previous review and for future directions.