In my experience, a high incident of autistic individuals are taking a mood stabilizer medication to reduce instability, repetitive behavior, impulsivity, aggression, self-injurious behaviors, and seizure disorder. Some autistic individuals are prescribed as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) or anti-depressant, where Prozac or Zoloft have been the most prescribed. Other autistics consumers are on an alpha or beta-blocker for irritability and hyperactivity. When we compare the psychotropic agents prescribed for autistic individuals, the data shows that a high incidence of consumers are taking atypical neuroleptic medication in comparison with the mood stabilizer agents. I have found that the most prescribed atypical neuroleptic medications for autistics are Risperdal, Abilify and Seroquel; the most prescribed anti-seizure or mood stabilizer agent is Depakote. Possibly, one of the reasons is that they have very good mood stabilization effects. It seems that the mood dysregulation component involving the neurotransmitters in the brain is a common denominator in our autistic population.
Anecdotal observations suggest that the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) are safe medications for autistic individuals, but they have paradoxical effects probably due to the nature of the autistic condition (neurological involvement), which instead of reducing the stereotypical or obsessive-compulsive components of the autistic individuals may increase the hypomanic stage or movement disorders.
3 comments:
My son was diagnosed with atypical pervasive developmental disorder at age 3. Shortly after, he went to the League School in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. It was a very special school with a very special dedicated staff that made the world of difference. He could have been locked in his own world forever but patience and fortitude brought him out. Upo graduating at age 21 with an IEP diploma, he has language, literacy and a well developed sense of independence. Autism will always be there, since there is no known cure, but one can work around this still unsolved disorder and maximize potentials. In my son`s case medications had no effects,just side effects,which were undisirable. He is now 28, living in a group home in Carol Gardens, Brooklyn and is able to take care of his own needs and travel when and where he pleases. He is also in a work program.
Thank you very much for sharing about your son and his experience with his medications. As you may know, psychotropic mediations in the treatment of autism are very complex because their effectiveness depends on finding the appropriate targeted symptoms, the correct dosage formulation and the appropriate combination. Some of the most common medications for autism have shown effectiveness in mitigating the core symptom domains, but ultimately their effectiveness are dependent on the individual. Randomized studies have suggested that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI / Anti-depressants) can reduce the restricted pattern of behaviors and stereotypical behaviors and compulsivity. Anti-convulsants or mood stabilizers may be effective to treat mood dysregulation disorders due to the high association between Autism and seizure disorders. The atypical neuroleptic medications such as Risperdal, Abilify, Geodon and Zyprexa may improve the behavioral symptoms in autism; however, additional research studies are warranted to study the side effects. Unfortunately, all medications may produce side effects, but sometimes the cost-benefit of psychotropic medications favors its use.
my son was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder this year. he is 12 years old right now. My son has kids teasing him on a daily basis. Students are fighting my son. students as well as teachers is mistreating my son. When my son gets tired of the kids picking on him he blows up.When he gets like that the school wants to take him to bellvue. I just will like my son to be in a good school were he is around professionals that knows how to deal with a child like mine. It's very stressful when teachers mistreat you as well as the child when they don't understand. I think they should be trained how to deal with all kind of kids.At this point I am trying to get him in a school were he can get the education that he deserve.
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