A key nursing intervention for children with autism who engage in self-injurious behavior is to:

A key nursing intervention for children with autism who engage in self-injurious behavior is to:

• A. Protective headgear to prevent self-injury
• B. Increase stimulation
• C. Remove familiar objects
• D. Isolate the child

Answer: (A)

Safety is the priority when addressing self-injurious behavior in children with autism. Protective headgear is used to physically prevent injury to the head and face during episodes of self-harm, especially when the risk of serious injury is high. This safety measure is part of a comprehensive plan that also includes identifying triggers, implementing behavior modification techniques, creating structured routines, providing alternative communication and coping strategies, and training caregivers on supervision and de-escalation. Use of protective headgear must be properly fitted, comfortable, and regularly inspected for skin integrity and wear-and-tear. It should be viewed as a temporary, safety-focused intervention while longer-term strategies are developed and refined, not as a punitive measure or a standalone solution. Options that rely on increasing stimulation, removing familiar objects, or isolating the child do not reduce injury risk and can worsen distress or harm, so they are not appropriate approaches.

Safety is the priority when addressing self-injurious behavior in children with autism. Protective headgear is used to physically prevent injury to the head and face during episodes of self-harm, especially when the risk of serious injury is high. This safety measure is part of a comprehensive plan that also includes identifying triggers, implementing behavior modification techniques, creating structured routines, providing alternative communication and coping strategies, and training caregivers on supervision and de-escalation.

Use of protective headgear must be properly fitted, comfortable, and regularly inspected for skin integrity and wear-and-tear. It should be viewed as a temporary, safety-focused intervention while longer-term strategies are developed and refined, not as a punitive measure or a standalone solution.

Options that rely on increasing stimulation, removing familiar objects, or isolating the child do not reduce injury risk and can worsen distress or harm, so they are not appropriate approaches.