More on Head-banging

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Posted By Kelly on November 09, 2000 at 22:42:32:

Hi Lovelies!

We were discussing assumptions in earlier posts and how it's usually not that helpful for us to make them concerning our children's behaviors that are so very different than our own, such as head-banging. We are doing some craniosacral therapy with Benjamin these days and the D.O. xeroxed some things for me out of a book he was studying from that I wanted to share. I thought some of you might be interested in yet another perspective on this - it seems very respectful of the child and unassuming.

After the steps for part of the treatment are described, it mentions that self-abusive behavior is usually lessened or eliminated after the treatment. Then the following appears:

"We postulate that long-standing, internal head pain has been relieved by the decompression. The child may well have been blocking the uncontrollable internal head pain by self-inflicted, but controllable external pain. The child may even have been stimulating endogenous opiate (endorphin) production by the self-inflicted pain, and by that means have obtained some measure of relief. The head-banging could easily represent self-inflicted pain or could be an instinctive attempt by the child to mobilize the craniosacral system.

"Another change that frequently occurs at this level of correction is the cessation, partial or total, of thumbsucking. Careful observaton rveals that the so-called thumbsucking is usually not sucking at all but is hard pressure upon the roof of the mouth. One need only recall the anatomy of the maxilla, palatines, vomer and sphenoid to recognize that this self-imposed pressure on the roof of the mouth may represent the child's attempt at mobilizing the cranial base.

"Furthermore, once some decompression has been accomplished, autistic children will become very cooperative with the treatment. They often demonstrate a very positive attitude toward craniosacral treatment and will sometimes indicate where the therapist should place his or her hands during treatment. They are almost always correct.

...

"It is important that parents and teachers are sensitive to, and understand the changes their child may pass through. As emotion begins to emerge, it must be encouraged. As creative activities appear, they must be encouraged."

I just thought that was an interesting read. I'm not sure about the kid telling the therapist where to put his/her hands, but I'll be watching Ben during his second treatment tomorrow!!

Love and the absence of assumptions to all!

2K.

Follow Ups

• Re: More on Head-banging Kelly 20:21:04 11/10/00 (1)
  • Re: Re: More on Head-banging kath 12:53:19 11/11/00 (0)

Name:
Subject: Re: More on Head-banging

Comments:: Hi Lovelies! : We were discussing assumptions in earlier posts and how it's usually not that helpful for us to make them concerning our children's behaviors that are so very different than our own, such as head-banging. We are doing some craniosacral therapy with Benjamin these days and the D.O. xeroxed some things for me out of a book he was studying from that I wanted to share. I thought some of you might be interested in yet another perspective on this - it seems very respectful of the child and unassuming. : After the steps for part of the treatment are described, it mentions that self-abusive behavior is usually lessened or eliminated after the treatment. Then the following appears: : "We postulate that long-standing, internal head pain has been relieved by the decompression. The child may well have been blocking the uncontrollable internal head pain by self-inflicted, but controllable external pain. The child may even have been stimulating endogenous opiate (endorphin) production by the self-inflicted pain, and by that means have obtained some measure of relief. The head-banging could easily represent self-inflicted pain or could be an instinctive attempt by the child to mobilize the craniosacral system. : "Another change that frequently occurs at this level of correction is the cessation, partial or total, of thumbsucking. Careful observaton rveals that the so-called thumbsucking is usually not sucking at all but is hard pressure upon the roof of the mouth. One need only recall the anatomy of the maxilla, palatines, vomer and sphenoid to recognize that this self-imposed pressure on the roof of the mouth may represent the child's attempt at mobilizing the cranial base. : "Furthermore, once some decompression has been accomplished, autistic children will become very cooperative with the treatment. They often demonstrate a very positive attitude toward craniosacral treatment and will sometimes indicate where the therapist should place his or her hands during treatment. They are almost always correct. : ... : "It is important that parents and teachers are sensitive to, and understand the changes their child may pass through. As emotion begins to emerge, it must be encouraged. As creative activities appear, they must be encouraged." : I just thought that was an interesting read. I'm not sure about the kid telling the therapist where to put his/her hands, but I'll be watching Ben during his second treatment tomorrow!! : Love and the absence of assumptions to all! : 2K.