Self-injurious behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder enrolled in the Study to Explore Early Development

Data on factors examined were obtained from questionnaires, standardized clinical instruments, and birth certificates. We employed a log-binomial regression to assess these associations.

Although most associations were quite similar for currently and ever exhibiting self-injurious behaviors, a few differences were noted. We documented previously unreported associations of current self-injurious behaviors with maternal age and cesarean delivery, and ever self-injurious behaviors with maternal age, child sex, gestational age, and maternal race. We also confirmed previously reported associations with adaptive skills, somatic conditions (sleep, gastrointestinal, and sensory abnormalities), and other behavioral problems.