DS is hurting himself and ripping clothing

[BONKERZ]

OK, so i guess this is another phase he is going through. DS who has atpical autism and ODD has started to suck himself till he causes a bruise. He currently has 3 huge love bites on his arms and he has started to rip his clothes, he came home from school today with a sleeve ripped off his tshirt.
he says he doesnt know why he is doing these things but says the bruises didnt hurt when he was doing them.

How do i deal with this?

can you give him something else to do when he gets the urges? Something like popping bubble wrap, or squeezing those little stress toys? ds1 also had little squsihy and stretchy bug things that he could fiddle with.

its happening at school alot so plan to ring them on monday to talk to them about it. TBH its just another thing he is doing and i have no idea how to help him. I have just spent ages trying to explain why we are taking away his pocket money for the next 3 weeks so he can pay for a new top but i know it wont stop him doing it again. He is more distraught i told him i was dissappointed he had ruined his shirt than losing his pocket money.

Bonkerz - I think rather than punsihment you need to get your OT involved as this sounds like a sensory issue. In the meantime I would meet with the school and ask them to keep a diary for 1 week and note down the following:

What time it happened
What happend just before
What they did after he did it

This will really help you understand why he is doing it.

If you want to discuss further please feel free to get in touch.

DS has not got an OT, we dont get help from autism outreach because DS is in a priory school so i got no choice to to figure it out on my own! He does have a fuller assessment in May to figure out what areas he is hypersensitive in etc

thanks for the feedback! It is so hard because whilst i know punishment is not always the right thing i feel as a parent i need to make/prove a point to DD and DSD really that DS isnt getting away with ripping clothes and biting himself! I know he doesnt really understand that his actions have consequences and i also know the punishment i have given him wont mean he stops and thinks before he does such negative behaviours again! Its so hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will talk to the school on monday though and i mentioned it to his play scheme leaders today and asked them to note if he does it.