Robin Friedlander

MB, ChB, FRCPC

Investigator, BC Children's Hospital
Psychiatrist and Head, Neuropsychiatry Clinic, BC Children's Hospital

More than half of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrate self-injury or aggression. Prevalence estimates for self-injury range from 33% to 71% in ASD. Assuming the lowest frequency of approximately 33% of kids with Autism displaying some form of SIB, means that approximately 3000 children with Autism in BC display some form of SIB.

Our clinical experience suggests that we can make a major impact in the lives of these patients. Integration of medical, psychiatric and behavioural specialists is the key to successful treatments that can prevent the SIB from becoming chronic and intractable.