Demonstration of Parent Training to Address Early Self-Injury in Young Children with Intellectual and Developmental Delays.

Eleven children were analysed in an open pre-post pilot with no control group, so the changes cannot be separated from time, maturation, or other services. Children were already in stable behavioral or educational programs, and many were receiving speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social skills training, play therapy, direct instruction with an aide or behavior therapist, behavior support plans, or 1:1 aides; medication status was also part of eligibility. The sample was very young, ages 1 to 5, with intellectual and developmental delays and early self-injury, and the authors say generalising the findings to other children with early self-injury is premature. The authors note uncertainty about whether the ABC and BPI-01 are appropriate measures for this age, and they cite evidence that the ABC factor structure may not fit children under 5. The injury-risk measure was at floor: all children were rated minimal risk before and after treatment, so it could not show change. Parenting stress did not change significantly, and the program did not specifically target caregiver coping or support.

All authors have no other conflicts of interest to report. The paper does not state a funding source. SIB-PT was provided at no charge, and families received up to $120 for ancillary costs.

Do not conclude that parent training alone reduced self-injury. The pilot had 11 analysed children, no control group, and children were already in stable behavioral or educational programs and could receive speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social skills training, play therapy, direct instruction with an aide or behavior therapist, behavior support plans, 1:1 aides, and stable medication if present.