@article{ref1,
title="Persistence and predictors of self-injurious behaviour in autism: a ten-year prospective cohort study",
journal="Molecular autism",
year="2020",
author="Laverty, Catherine and Oliver, Chris and Moss, Jo and Nelson, Lisa and Richards, Caroline",
volume="11",
number="",
pages="e8-e8",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Self-injurious behaviours, such as head banging, hair pulling, skin picking and scratching, are common in individuals with autism. Despite high prevalence rates, there is a paucity of longitudinal research to refine models of risk and mechanism and inform service planning. In this longitudinal study, we investigated self-injury in a cohort of individuals with autism over 10 years to identify behavioural and demographic characteristics associated with persistent self-injury. <br><br>METHODS: Carers of 67 individuals with autism completed questionnaires relating to the presence of self-injury and relevant risk markers at <i>T</i><sub>1</sub> (mean [SD] age in years 13.4 [7.7]) and <i>T</i><sub>3</sub> (mean [SD] age in years 23.9 [7.7]) 10 years later. Forty-six of these also took part at <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> (3 years after initial participation). Analysis assessed demographic and behavioural risk markers for self-injury, as well as the predictive value of items assessed at <i>T</i><sub>1</sub>and <i>T</i><sub>2.</sub> RESULTS: Self-injury was persistent in 44% of individuals over the 10-year period, with behavioural characteristics of impulsivity (<i>p</i> <.001) and overactivity (<i>p</i> =.002), identified as risk markers for persistence. A predictive model of self-injury was derived from LASSO analysis, with baseline impulsivity, interest and pleasure, stereotyped behaviour, social communication and adaptive functioning predicting self-injury over 10 years. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In this unique longitudinal investigation into the persistence of self-injury in a non-clinical sample of individuals with autism over a 10 year period, we have identified a novel, robust and stable profile of behavioural characteristics associated with persistent self-injury. <br><br>FINDINGS support an early intervention strategy targeted towards individuals identified to be at a higher risk of developing self-injurious behaviour.<br><br>© The Author(s). 2020.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2040-2392",
doi="10.1186/s13229-019-0307-z",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-019-0307-z"
}