Self-Injurious Behavior: II. Pharmacological and Integrated Treatments

Abstract

This is the second of two chapters reviewing treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in people with pervasive developmental disabilities (PDDs). The preceding chapter reviewed the general characteristics of SIB in people with PDDs and behavioral treatment of SIB. The present chapter goes on to review pharmacological and combined pharmacological and behavioral treatments. The final section of this chapter points out directions for future research in the treatment of SIB. As in the previous chapter, the term autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) will, in general, be used to refer to autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS); where participants in group studies are limited to those with a single diagnosis, or those with a diagnosis of autistic disorder are specifically excluded, we use more specific terms.