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Special Health Care Needs

182 - Self Injury, Challenging Behaviors, and Stress Among Young Autistic Children

Friday, May 22, 2026
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Andrew C. Medlin, DDS

    Chief Resident
    University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
    University of Minnesota
    Eagan, Minnesota, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AE

    Amy Esler, PhD

    University of Minnesota

  • JS

    Jessica Simacek, PhD

    University of Minnesota

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • AD

    Adele Dimian, PhD

    University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
    Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • Jeff Karp, DMD MS

    Program Director
    University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
    School of Dentistry , University of Minnesota
    Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aims to understand the prevalence of orofacial self-injurious behaviors and other challenging behaviors in autistic children and to evaluate their relationship with family stress.

Methods: Families with children less than 6 years of age with newly diagnosed autism were enrolled in a telehealth intervention study. During study intake, caregivers completed electronic questionnaires including the Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI-S), the Autism Family Experience Questionnaire (AFEQ), the Autism Impact Measures (AIM), the Vineland-3, and the Parenting Stress Index-4. Questions related to the child’s self-injurious behaviors, behaviors that make receiving dental care challenging, and the stress experience of the child and family were identified. Responses were compiled and analyzed to determine the prevalence and types of challenging behaviors that could directly affect orofacial structures. Descriptive statistics, Spearman rank correlations, and hierarchical regression analyses are being used to evaluate the relationship between family stress and challenging behaviors.

Results: Final data analyses are pending.

Conclusions: Families with a child who is newly diagnosed with autism experience stress and uncertainty. Family quality of life is affected by the severity of challenging behaviors.

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