• Knowledgebase: Behavioral, Developmental, and Emotional Problems

    Questions about behavioral and emotional problems, Autism, developmental delays.

    18. My 2 year old son bangs his head when he is frustrated - Top

    Head banging is not an infrequent expression of anger, frustration, manipulation or a way of obtaining attention by children. Children will generally not create any significant injury this way other than an occasional bump or bruise. The only children I have seen develop an injury with this are children who are severly retarded and the head banging is a repetitive behavior problem.

    So the average child with head banging will not injure themselves and the behavior can be best extinguished by those around the child ignoring it. If the behavior is given into or given attention, it will continue. If it is ignored, the child will move onto another form of communication, preferably one more acceptable.

    - Updated: March 22, 2001

    [e-Mail me the Knowledgebase]-   [Search our Knowledgebase] -  [Question Not Answered?]    


    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP