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Medications for Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

“Are there any medications used to treat the symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome or High Functioning Autism?”

No medications directly treat the core symptoms of Asperger’s or High Functioning Autism. Although research into the effectiveness of pharmaceutical intervention for Asperger’s is limited, it is essential to diagnose and treat “comorbid” (i.e., related) conditions.

Deficits in self-identifying emotions or in observing effects of one's behavior on others can make it difficult for kids with Asperger’s to see why medication may be appropriate. Medication can be effective in combination with behavioral interventions and environmental accommodations in treating comorbid symptoms (e.g., anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, inattention, aggression, etc.).

Risperidone and olanzapine have been shown to reduce the associated symptoms of Asperger’s. Risperidone can reduce repetitive and self-injurious behaviors, aggressive outbursts and impulsivity, and improve stereotypical patterns of behavior and social relatedness. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and sertraline have been effective in treating restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors.

Care must be taken with medications:
  • Weight gain and fatigue are commonly reported side effects of risperidone, which may also lead to increased risk for extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g., restlessness and dystonia) and increased serum prolactin levels.
  • SSRIs can lead to manifestations of behavioral activation (e.g., increased impulsivity, aggression and sleep disturbance).
  • Sedative side-effects in school-age kids have ramifications for classroom learning. 
  • Sedation and weight gain are more common with olanzapine, which has also been linked with diabetes.
  • Abnormalities in metabolism, cardiac conduction times, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes have been raised as concerns with these medications, along with serious long-term neurological side effects.

Note: Kids with Asperger’s and High-Functioning Autism may be unable to identify and communicate their internal moods and emotions or to tolerate side effects that, for most individuals, would not be a problem.

More resources for parents of children and teens with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's:

==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's

==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism

==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance

==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook

==> Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Audio Book


COMMENTS:

Anonymous said...We use efaflex on our son which is an omega 3,6 and 9 and contains evening primrose oil, it has curved his outbursts but we do notice during growth spurts that his moods go out the window and we tried omega without evening primrose in it and it wasn't as effective, so we believe that some of his behavior is brought on by hormones during growth, but peadritician doesn't believe so. The year that he was really bad he grew 13cm in height in that year.

Anonymous said...We have seen amazing changes in my 11 year old aspie will Abilifiy as well.

Anonymous said...Thank you for posting this. I was going to do a internet search to see if there were any meds that we could try for my son.

Anonymous said...My son is on intuniv. He can't have stimulants because of his facial tics and we have really been pleased with the results that intuniv have given him.

Anonymous said...My son is 14 and has Aspergers. We have yet to find a medication to curb his meltdowns!!

Anonymous said...my 11 year old has been on meds for 3 years now and would not be able to function without them. Abilify and Concerta have been the most effective with a recent addition of Kapvay. Abilify has been consistently the most necessary to curb his anxiety. He also struggles with rigid thinking, impulse control and violent outbursts. Still, though, Asperger's is kicking MY ass today! It's definitely a marathon.

Anonymous said...I have a daughter entering her teen years and it has been HELL since school started this year. Doc prescribed risperdal. However, after reading some of the awful side effects, decided not to give it to her. Hormones definitely magnify the outbursts and I disagree with any Doc who says otherwise.

Anonymous said...Focalin XR can help treat the add part and overall helps with the Aspergers

Anonymous said...Abilify has really helped with my son.

Anonymous said... another drug in the same family as risperdol but another generation along and therefore supposedly w/ fewer side effects is Abilify. It hasn't ended my kid's impulsiveness but it's mitigated it and bolstered his mood, which sensory issues and struggles in schools were just hammering. The decision to medicate is a hard one; but I don't want my kid's brain to learn how to be depressed -- once that track is laid down, you zip along it way too easily throughout life.

No comments:

My child has been rejected by his peers, ridiculed and bullied !!!

Social rejection has devastating effects in many areas of functioning. Because the ASD child tends to internalize how others treat him, rejection damages self-esteem and often causes anxiety and depression. As the child feels worse about himself and becomes more anxious and depressed – he performs worse, socially and intellectually.

Click here to read the full article…

How to Prevent Meltdowns in Children on the Spectrum

Meltdowns are not a pretty sight. They are somewhat like overblown temper tantrums, but unlike tantrums, meltdowns can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. When it starts, the Asperger's or HFA child is totally out-of-control. When it ends, both you and your child are totally exhausted. But... don’t breathe a sigh of relief yet. At the least provocation, for the remainder of that day -- and sometimes into the next - the meltdown can return in full force.

Click here for the full article...

Parenting Defiant Teens on the Spectrum

Although Aspergers [high-functioning autism] is at the milder end of the autism spectrum, the challenges parents face when disciplining a teenager on the spectrum are more difficult than they would be with an average teen. Complicated by defiant behavior, the teen is at risk for even greater difficulties on multiple levels – unless the parents’ disciplinary techniques are tailored to their child's special needs.

Click here to read the full article…

Older Teens and Young Adult Children with ASD Still Living At Home

Your older teenager or young “adult child” isn’t sure what to do, and he is asking you for money every few days. How do you cut the purse strings and teach him to be independent? Parents of teens with ASD face many problems that other parents do not. Time is running out for teaching their adolescent how to become an independent adult. As one mother put it, "There's so little time, yet so much left to do."

Click here to read the full article…

Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism

Two traits often found in kids with High-Functioning Autism are “mind-blindness” (i.e., the inability to predict the beliefs and intentions of others) and “alexithymia” (i.e., the inability to identify and interpret emotional signals in others). These two traits reduce the youngster’s ability to empathize with peers. As a result, he or she may be perceived by adults and other children as selfish, insensitive and uncaring.

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to read the full article...

Highly Effective Research-Based Parenting Strategies for Children with Asperger's and HFA

Become an expert in helping your child cope with his or her “out-of-control” emotions, inability to make and keep friends, stress, anger, thinking errors, and resistance to change.

Click here for the full article...