SELF INJURIOUS BEHAVIOUR—a few words of caution

Abstract

In a recent issue of APEX, E. S. Robbins presented a “Teacher's guide to the treatment of self‐injurious behaviour” (Robbins, 1977). This discussion of a difficult problem included a plausible description of the causes of such behaviour and a review of some behavioural methods of management. Robbins was careful to avoid explanations with “overtones of mysticism” and was clearly attempting to draw the attention of teachers and others concerned with the care and management of the handicapped to relevant research literature. The following is offered as a contribution to this debate, enlarging upon a few of the points made in the earlier article and adding a few words of caution.