Effects of Otitis Media on a Child with Autism Receiving Behavioral Intervention for Self-Injury

ABSTRACT

We report the case of a five-year old boy with autism who demonstrated unanticipated increases in self-injurious behavior that had decreased following intervention. On these occasions, elevated self-injury was linked to physician diagnosed otitis media. The findings support an emerging clinical literature documenting possible negative effects from medical influences on challenging behaviors.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism
• self-injury
• otitis media
• behavioral intervention
• child