A 33-year-old female asked:
My son has head banging off his mattress since about 6 months to go to sleep. he's 17 mths. i didn't think anything of it just as a soothing technique..my daughter never did this though and people are telling me it's a sign of autism. true?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Trageranswered
Dentistry 56 years experience
Don't listen to other people. Consult your pediatrician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Sep 30, 2022

Dr. Yvette Kratzberganswered
Pediatrics 26 years experience
Head banging can be a sign of autism. But anywhere from 5-15% of infants who do not have autism still engage in head banging as a self soothing technique. Talk to your Pediatrician for a full exam. Autistic kids will show other symptoms along with the Head Banging.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Sep 30, 2022
Last updated Sep 30, 2022
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