Help! 14mth hitting his own head!

[babycoolz]

Help!

My DS (14 months) has a habit of using his hands and whacking himself on the head. I consulted a friend who works with autistic kids, and she has advised me that it is most likely he is doing it for attention. She told me to hold his hand and look away and ignore him every time he does it.

However, he's now starting to use his head and bang it against the play pen frame, or anything else for that matter. The other day when he was sitting with DH and I in bed, he dropped and our heads banged but he wasn't phased at all where as I was in pain with a headache for the rest of the day!!!

Not only am I worried about his health, but I don't know how to teach him against this antisocial behaviour. I am also worried that maybe this is a sign for a sympton I am not aware of?!

If anyone has experienced this with their kids please share.

[Lulu]

Mitchell used to do this from sheer frustration. They don't have many words at this age and it can be a little hard for them to express themselves. He was also a head butter, he'll play for Liverpool one day.

My daughter is a terrible head banger, not all the time but she doesn't muck around. I pay absolutely no attention to it, let her run to me for sympathy then put her to bed. It's usually when she is very upset with her brother nicking a toy, or she is just too tired.

[Rach75]

Jack does this when he is tired I think it is normal part of growing up, unless there are other issues I wouldn't be fazed by it

[Antheia]

When Charlie is in the car or is sitting against a wall he will hit his head over and over until i tell him 'no'. I think its an attention seeking thing. He isn't hurting himself at all though cause he smiles when he does it.