have wondered now whether to post this or not. its worrying me really. ds has been hitting himself and biting himself. (he is nearly eight). he used to do it when he was about 4 and i havent seen it since, i thought he had grown out of it but the other day some children started on him again and this is what he did. they said awful things about him..that he was "mental" and should be in the "nuthouse". why does he do this? he doesnt do it normally, i think he was scared of these children (they were rougher than rough). i asked him why he did it and he said he didnt know. i dont think its normal behaviour. im racking my brains to try and work it out. the only conclusion i could come to was that he was angry with these kids but too scared to take it out on them so he took it out on himself. hes a very sensitive little chap and not really cut out for defending himself, we live in a bit of a rough area. he does have problems with motor skills and strange little ways, hes very scared of loud noises etc..could it be anything to do with his other problems? does anyone have any experience of this?