PSYCHOPHARMACOTHERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER CAN IMPROVE THEIR ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONING

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which shows deficits in social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive and restricted patterns of behaviors and interests. Although there is currently no medication that can treat the core symptoms of ASD, there are many pharmacological treatment options that can help diminish the associated symptoms. Aims & Objectives The purpose of the present study was to examine the pharmacological treatment of children with ASD. We investigated how the pharmacological treatment of children with ASD improved their adaptive functioning. Method The present study was a cross-sectional study of 112 school-aged children who were diagnosed with ASD (mean age= 8.65±1.66 years, female=17.79%). Demographic information and information about current medications were collected. Parents completed the Parent/Caregiver Form of Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, 3rd Edition (Vineland-3). Results Among the 112 children diagnosed with ASD, 88 children (78.57%) had received psychopharmacotherapy. The medication that the children with ASD were most treated with was antipsychotics such as aripiprazole and risperidone, followed by ADHD medications such as atomoxetine and methylphenidate. SSRIs such as fluoxetine and sertraline, as well as buspirone were also prescribed. Results of VAPS-3 showed that pharmacological treatment improved child’ s communication skills, daily living skills and socialization. Discussion & Conclusion The current study showed that majority of children with ASD received pharmacological treatment which were beneficial for their adaptive functioning. Many parents recognize that there is no cure for ASD and eliminate pharmacological treatment options for their children. It should be emphasized that psychopharmacological treatment can alleviate symptoms of irritability, ADHD, and anxiety in children with ASD which improve their adaptive functioning.