isthis a sign of autism?

[joseph2067]

my son is 27 months old and is healthy, lovable, energetic, etc... except he bangs his head several times a day whenever he doesn't get his way or is told "no"... he bangs his head on walls, floors, couches, whatever is around... sometimes hard, sometimes very softly and then he looks to see if i was watching... is this normal child behavior or signs of something more serios?

[samrap]

I'm am 16, and my older brother is autistic. He doesn't know how else to express his anger, and also bangs his head on anything he can find. (even other people). I don't have a child, and haven't dealt with toddlers besides my other brother when he was one (now 12) but ivenever seen a child do this. But if any human being was unable to express themselves, they'd get upset. I'd contact a doctor just in case, but it may be normal. Let me know if everythings alright, or what happens. -samantha

[nikki787]

This is definitely normal young toddler behaviour.  My 26 month old daughter bashes her head on the floor when i have told her off and then says "oww head!"  It's to get some attention and a cuddle after being told off!  If it isn't happening randomly and only once or twice when your child is frustrated, I wouldn't worry about it.  Just show your son the hand banging won't get him any attention by ignoring the behaviour completely.

[specialmom]

The part that makes me think it is more on the normal side vs autistic is that he "checks to see if I'm watching.".  I have a child with sensory integration disorder that banged his head----  but he couldn't care less if I noticed or not.  He was looking for the input for his nervous system.  I'd have to see more signs than this to worry myself.  Just my thoughts.  

[BryansMom]

My son, who is now 12, has autism, started off hitting himself in the face and stomach with his fists, banging his head on the walls, pulled out big clumps of hair, and pinching himself violently until he bled. This was when he was very angry, usually when he didn't get his way. It used to scare me as he would really haul off and whack himself or hurt himself. I gave him a big stuffed animal to take his aggressions out on, but he only hurt himself. When he was 2 years old, he was a biter and the only way I got him to stop was to actually bite him...not hard, but enough to show him that being bit hurt. Now that he is older, he has learned to control his anger to a more acceptable level...we still have our days.

[tico01]

My stepson is starting to do this more and more. He will hit and pinch anyone who tells him no, he throws himself down on the ground really hard and does NOT stop crying. I am talking him in for testing because I have raised boys before and never did I see this as well as other strange signs.

[specialmom]

Probably normal.  If he is making eye contact and developing well in speech-----  I wouldn't worry.  Just my opinion.