I am a Pediatric Occulational therapist who specializes in early childhood occupational therapy. In my daily work, parents, teachers, and other service providers approach me with many questions, ranging from, ” how do I get this child to sit still?”or why on earth does this child place everything in their mouths? Or What about a wiggle cushion, what about a sensory diet? ….the questions are endless, but always welcome🙂🙂 Below are a list of common general questions, and my responses to them. Take a look, see if any may be of assistance to you. If you have a specific question that you would like an OT’s advice on contact MarvelsourceOT@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The information on this site does not serve as a substitute for receiving OT evaluation and services. It is only indended as a supplement or resource. If you suspect your child may be in need for OT services, parents, discuss this with a pediatrician who can direct the referral. Teachers, discuss this with the child’s parents and suggest that steps be taking towards obtaining an OT evaluation.
Now, don’t just sit there, ask away🙂 !!
Parent Edition: “Headbutting”
Parent question: Hi my child has been doing a lot more head butting recently, and trying to bang his head on things. Are there things you can work on with him, and things I can try at home to help with that?“
OT Answer:
“First we must get to the bottom of why he is responding that way. Is is always after or before a certain activity or specific time of day? Or is it a response he has if he does not receive what he wants at the moment? When and how often would you say this occurs. (Most common scenarios when this takes place).”
Parent: “Sometimes it’s when he doesn’t get what he wants. Sometimes he just hits his head saying it feels good. It also happens when he’s over excited”
OT answer: “When the headbutting is a response to not getting what he wants, then it is less of a sensory issue and more a behavior issue, best to respond by supporting emotional regulation skills (coping strategies to help him adjust to disappointment (i.e. having him spend time in a “cozy corner” to “cool off” etc. ). Also, what I find in OT that is helpful is negotiation. For example, If the child wants a particular toy right away, but I need him to focus on something else at the moment , I would ask ” do you want that toy? After he’d say “toy please”, I would respond with ” ok, but first finish this , then toy”. Other then negotiation, giving him language to express himself helps greatly as well. For example, In my OT sessions, students are taught to say , “tired please” if they’re tired, or “break please”, if they need a break. Even ” idea please if they have an idea that they want to share. This way, instead of expressing their emotions through headbutting, he/she is using words ( also becoming more self-aware of their needs).
When the head butting is done for no apparent reason, this is when the cause is most likely due to a desire for more sensory input. Meaning he/she may be seeking increased sensory feedback via deep pressure or what is known as proprioceptive input. This “deep pressure input” that he may be seeking helps produce “calming chemicals in the nervous system “(such as serotonin and dopamine) to help him to feel calm, organized, and regulated. If you see that he is going for the head butting for sensory reasons, you can try providing deep squeeze hugs, or have him balance or hold a weighted bean bag/pillow onto his head ( children tend to place heavy objects on their heads for those reason as well). 1-2 lb bean bag or stuffed animal would be great for this (for 1-2 minutes or until the child is regulated and satisfied).
As far as blocking the head butting, that should only be done if he/she is seeming to do this in a dangerous way like towards other people, or hard surfaces.
Keep in mind, If it is NOT occuring in a dangerous manner, like onto a soft mattress or pillow, it may actually be ok for him to do (I.e. at night while he is sleeping, something also very common among children with sensory needs).
Overall, consider the main cause or the main scenarios for which the headbutting is occuring. This will help in determining the best way to respond accordingly.