Why does your child indulge in head banging? How do you manage it?

This article explores the important topic of head banging in children on the autism spectrum. It highlights possible triggers and shares supportive strategies to understand, and respond with care.

What triggers head banging?

There are several reasons to your child resorting to self harming behaviour such as head banging

• Concerns in communication

Difficulty in communicating one’s needs effectively, may often result in the child being frustrated. This can in turn result in self inflicting behaviour in children with autism.

• Sensory sensitivities

Differences in perceiving sensory stimulus may result in self-inflicting behaviours. Some children may seek sensory input and the sensory stimulus by head banging may feel good to some. 

On the other hand, situations resulting in a sensory overload may also result in such behaviours

• Physical discomfort

Head banging may also be a coping strategy in case of pain and physical discomfort

• Not just attention seeking

When children engage in head banging, it’s important to first explore possible underlying reasons, rather than immediately viewing it as ‘attention seeking.’ At times, it may be a way for the child to quickly connect with caregivers or express a need. Over time, this can also become a learned pattern. Understanding the ‘why’ behind the behavior helps families respond with empathy and support.

Can head banging cause brain damage?

As children are prone to accidents, naturally their heads are designed to handle impact from learning to walk, run and fall. Head banging will rarely cause more trauma than a slip and fall accident at this age. 

However, as children get older, they are at a higher risk for causing lasting damage

How can I protect my child from self-harm?

• Address underlying medical issues: 

Make sure you try and identify any possible medical condition that might be resulting in physical discomfort. Consult a doctor to assess and address any such conditions. 

• Work on communication skills: 

Work with the child on developing language and communication skills to express his needs, demands or displeasure. This may be through speech, gestures or visual aids. This will help reduce resorting to head banging to express their needs or feelings. 

• Offer alternative coping strategies: 

In case of sensory sensitivities, help the child find alternatives that provide the required sensory inputs.

• Consult a professional: 

Your pediatrician should be your primary source of information on how to best help a head banging child. He/she will be able to diagnose the extent to which your child could injure him/herself, help you identify why your
child head bangs, and offer solutions and alternatives for your child.

Can an autism helmet protect my child?

Providing your child with a medical helmet as prescribed by your pediatrician and padding areas of your home that your child typically has head bangs, especially any corners or uneven surfaces, will reduce the risk of physical injury occurring.

Alongside professional guidance and supportive tools, what matters most is understanding each child’s needs and responding with empathy. Every strategy is about helping the child feel safe, connected, and supported.

Note: This infographic has been shared here with prior permission from Autism Parenting Magazine. The original link may be found here.

Also check concerns about autism child development

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this article is for information purposes only.