Atypical Antipsychotics in Children and Adolescents with Autistic and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Layperson Summary:

Drug therapy may help with problem behaviors that can be associated with autism.

This review article describes the use of a type of drug known as atypical antipsychotics as a treatment for children with autism, and reports on whether or not these drugs work. Atypical antipsychotics are often used as a first-line therapy to treat problem behaviors in children with autism. Problem behaviors such as aggression and self-injury and tantrums can often get in a way of a child’s schooling. Atypical antipsychotics include clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole. Risperidone is the only drug that is FDA-approved for use with autism.

Scientific Abstract