Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as intentional self-inflicted damage to the surface of the body without suicidal intent. Research shows that approximately 15% of adolescents engage in NSSI behaviors, necessitating school counselors with the knowledge and skills to respond systemically and systematically. Five functions of NSSI have been…

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has evolved into a serious issue for adolescents, and is encountered in school systems across the United States. The ability of school counselors and other professionals working in the school environment to understand and assist students who exhibit signs of NSSI is critically important. Research remains minimal on…

Around the world, school staff are increasingly expressing concern about nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and how best to address this behavior in the school setting. However, there is a notable lack of informed guidance for schools, and clear inconsistencies in the practices school staff adopt. In this position paper we draw on our collective…

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) is a federal advisory committee that advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on issues related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It was established by the "Children's Health Act of 2000" (Public Law 106-310), reconstituted under the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (CAA;…

This article provides readers with an understanding of self-injury assessment. The article begins with a critical review of a number of self-injury assessments. The latter section of the article introduces a comprehensive two-tiered approach to accurately assessing self-injury. Implications for counselors related to the assessment of self-injury…

Self-injurious behavior is the intentional harming of one's own body. Little attention has been given to SIB in the past, particularly in terms of innovative treatment approaches. Adolescents are at a particularly high-risk for developing this ineffectual coping mechanism. School counselors are in a unique position to aid in the identification of…