Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurobiological condition that cannot be cured. Although medications do not fully alleviate the symptoms, it is common for physicians to prescribe a variety of medications to help improve a child with Autism’s outlook and circumstances.
Anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and drugs for hyperactivity are all commonly used to lessen the effects of social anxiety, depression, fear, sensory issues, and additional emotional distresses that can cause problems for children with ASD.
With trial and error, the correct medication course and dosage can make all the difference in the life of a child with Autism or ASD. Medication, while not appropriate for all children with Autism, can change the course for some children, allowing for a life of independence.
Researchers are working to find medications that can be used to treat the symptoms of ASD in children. Some medications can serve dual purposes, like an anti-seizure medication that also happens to be a mood stabilizer. Finding safe medication choices for citizens is a job that the US Food and Drug Administration takes very seriously.
Researchers, physicians, parents, and patients can feel relatively certain that when a drug is approved by the FDA for pediatric use, it is safe to use in that capacity. Recently, the FDA approved the drug Abilify® to treat irritability in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can read the official announcement from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and the FDA here: http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=172339
My Aspergers Child: Preventing Meltdowns and Tantrums in Aspergers Children
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10 comments:
5 years since AS diagnosis of my now 10 year old son. It been a road of daily tantrums, increasing agression, school problems, family crisis, and all encompassing efforts to intervene. We've experienced thousands of hours of therapy, sensory integration, counseling, in-home behavioral intervention, desparation, and recently (4 months ago) a prescription of Ambilify. This has been an absolute gift to our wonderful son and to our lives as well. No side effects, only positive response that has helped him to maintain control during most challenging social situations.
Mark V in Minnesota...I am wondering what dose of ambilify your son is on? Also was wondering if he has ever been on any other meds?
My friend's grandson was admitted to the hospital today after being prescribed abilify with a life-threatening reaction to the drug.
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I have a 5 year old son who was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD and also possesses the traits of asperger's and bi polar disorder. I've been looking into the treatment for each on my own and I was told abilify may help him, can someone give me any information on this?
my son is 6yrs old and is on the spectrum and has ocd and anxiety. He started taking Abilify about 10 days ago and seems like he's yelling more, more frustrated and I'm not sure if I'm just not giving it a chance or is this a side effect that I should stop the medicine?? I am so nervous with this medicine and it's side effects?
I was wondering how many people have experienced the weight gain as a side affect with abilify?? Has anyone exerienced decreased appetite and weight loss?? My son has lost his appetite and has now been prescribed an appetite stimulant since the abilfy/focalin combination seems to be working really well for him.
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My 16yr son, has been taking abilify for 1-1/2. We went from 5mg to 2.5mg now back on 5mg (about 3-days). He has gain weight but also being in the house not doing much activities has contributed to weigh gain. He also went through the growth spurt. I would say a combination of all did make him gain weight. that is great that abilify/focalin combo is working for your son. It made my son angry and moody. As of now, he is taking abilify and clonodine. He psych will not give him any ADHD. He is forgetful but who is to know it's just being a typical teenager.
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My sons both gained weight on abilify (20 pounds in 12 weeks-- each). 6.8% of kids gain weight on abilify which is a small percentage which is why our psych did not feel it was necessary to bring it up beforehand. Yargh! Also in some people it can change your metabolism to a pre-diabetic state which is what it was doing in our kids: without any change in caloric intake, hunger or physical activity, their bodies began to gain weight.
Some studies have shown that if you take METFORMIN (aka Glucophage, a very safe blood sugar drug diabetics have been taking for decades) at the same time as the Abilify, it will negate any weight gain. Our pediatrician would not let us try this. I am not sure why.
My son takes Focalin (as do I) and yes, it REALLY takes away your appetite. Which is good for me! My son has always been in the 97+ percentile on weight so it's never been an issue for him to not have appetite 8 hrs / day, he makes up for it at night. He is in a normal weight for his height right now, not really heavy like before. Thank you growth spurt! He only gets 1500 calories per day. that helps
Geneva
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After a very troublesome year transitioning into middle school we have just started Abilify with our 12 year old that has autism, ADHD, sensory and anxiety issues, and is cognitively impaired. We kept all other meds (stimulants, Trileptol, Zoloft) the same but added Abilify to mornings only. He had the first good day in weeks. Its so encouraging to us but I know its just one day. any thoughts?
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My daughter has experienced a ton of stomach aches, sometimes they also include a headache, and often she says she will vomit, although she rarely does. It seems to be when we try to get her to do a non-preffered activity, (bedtime, cleaning, going somewhere.) It also happens at school during times when other children are misbehaving, or every Monday morning. I am sure it is stress related and started giving her calmes forte by hylands. That has seemed to help, we also do daily probiotics. I have wondered about food intolerance but it seems too closely related to life situations for that, and it was never a real big deal until this year (7 and 8yrs old.)
keeping it short ... my 17 year old son has been on 5 mg of Abilify for about three years. He is doing much better. No bad melt downs since starting it. Close a couple of times. Put on a little weight - still in normal range. Often tired.
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