Answer Summary

Members responded compassionately to a parent struggling with their son's self-biting behavior when he gets corrected, with several sharing... Read more

Members responded compassionately to a parent struggling with their son's self-biting behavior when he gets corrected, with several sharing that this is often a coping mechanism for emotional distress, difficulty accepting unwanted responses, or sensory overwhelm. The community strongly encouraged seeking a therapist who specializes in self-injury behaviors, with one member sharing a helpful Autism.org resource on causes and interventions, while another member opened up about their own childhood history of self-injury stemming from feelings of failure and the importance of self-compassion in healing. A recurring theme was meeting the child with calm physical comfort rather than punishment, with one parent describing success using deep breathing and gentle restraint through hugs to help their daughter through similar biting episodes.