Research: Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Authored by Hallahan, BP, and Murphy KC in Ir. J. Psych. Med., Volume 22, Issue 4, p. 137-142, (2005).

Article summary (posted Dec 11, 2006):

Parent support and education is very helpful for families that have a child with autism.

This review article describes various aspects of autism including: diagnosis, cause, and treatment. The most frequently studied biological treatments for autism include risperidone and specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In addition, there are many cognitive/behavioral therapies that have been shown to be useful, including: applied behavioral analysis (ABA), picture exchange communication system (PECS), and intensive exercise. Unfortunately, research studies in cognitive/behavioral therapies are often poorly designed with results that are difficult to interpret. The authors recommend further randomized and controlled research studies to determine which drugs and behavioral therapies are most effective for people with autism.

Links:

You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF" or "HTML" on the right side of the page).
applied behavior analysis (ABA), autism, cognitive, communication, drug, education, exercise, family, intensive, parent, parent support, picture exchange communication system (PECS), review article, Risperdal (risperidone), serotonin, specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors, therapy, treatment
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