Toddler slapping and biting herself

[okeydokeygirl]

My 21 month year old started headbanging when she was about 14 months. She then went on to hitting out and biting anything that frustrated her - including people. The headbanging has all but gone - I pretty much ignored it. The biting and smacking is under control, most of the time (she understands she should not do it to other people but sometimes frustration takes over). She now really smacks herself in the face and head or bites herself when she is really angry. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it just another phase? Is it because she knows she can't do it to anyone else so she does it to herself? I have been reading a bit about autism recently and there is lots of reference to 'self harming' but it never really describes what this is. I have experience of adults self harming and it is much much more serious than this. But what is considered self harming in a toddler?

[LieselVonGiftwrapp]

This is just a phase - in fact woth DD it only lasted about a fortnight.

[okeydokeygirl]

DD has already been doing it for about 2 months and it is getting more frequent. It has got worse since she has reduced the amount she does it to other people. Hmmmm - I am beginning to see a connection. i am just a bit concerned that it will continue to get worse and that it is something a bit more serious.

[PinkTinsel]

hmmmmm, dd has started slapping herself on the head or face when shes cross too...... hasn't bitten herself that i know of but the slappings been happening for months.

i just grap her hands and say 'no dd it's ok don't do that' and give her a hug. it doesn't seem to stop her doing it again though

[okeydokeygirl]

I've been trying to ignore the act itself as much as possible but acknowledge why she is doing it where appropriate e.g. I know you want the xxxx but you can't have it because it is dangerous. This seems to be helping a bit. It's difficult to know went to just not pay attention to the behaviour and when to do something about it. After all, if she is really frustrated then it seems mean to completely ignore her. She is learning to ask for help but still gets in a right old paddy when she can't get her own way. She has started laying herself on the floor as well as that is what I usually do to prevent her hurting herself.

[okeydokeygirl]

I am really pleased to say that most of the hitting and biting has stopped. Well at least it is back to what i consider to be normal toddler levels. She occasionally goes to slap me but is easily reprimanded, and this is usually when she is really tired so can be prevented on most occasions by putting to bed for naps etc in good time. She occasionally goes to hit another child, for example if they snatch a toy off her, but again i think this is normal and can be dealt with appropriately. i can now go to playgroups again with confidence and without having to stand next to her the whole time to prevent the worst. As everyone said, it was a phase and consistent management of it paid off in the end. PHEW! i wonder what it will be next!