Ok my kid is slightly younger but has the same anxiety anger issues and therapy is stressful Bc you are making them face these big emotions - a swat to me deserved a stern note e don't hit in the moment and then a lot of empathy - I know you've had such a long day (wow first day of camp is so stressful and now therapy). I'd recommend some of dr dan shapiros or dr Rene's classes - and I'd book a every few week parent meeting w the therapist Bc honestly so much do yisbwork is going to happen at home

OP, sometimes you pick your battles.

Just as you feel stressed and judged in the waiting room of the therapist's office, your kid may feel tense and stressed and judged too.

It's okay to empathize sometimes.

above i shld have said scars, not scares

<<Doesn't ignoring it teach the child they can get away with it?>>

I think if you ignore the behavior, it will teach the child that they won't get what they want from the behavior.

And to the PP who asked if the parents hit so that's why the kid hits -- you obviously do not have experience with a kid who has such severe disabilities that they engage in destructive behavior. My son has scares on his arm from his biting himself when he gets frustrated. I can assure you he has never seen his parents bite themselves when they are frustrated, he came up with this one on his own, unfortunately.