AUTISM AND MEDICATION

Is there medication to treat autism?

This is a question that every sick person asks — it was the third question I asked the doctor who diagnosed my son. The first one was, what is autism? The second one was, can it be cured? And after he answered ‘no’ he told me there was a medication that could be prescribed for my son. I remember it to this day, but before I tell you what I think of this, let me share some of the ones used to treat autism by first recapping what autism is.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour. While there is no cure for autism, various treatment approaches are available to help individuals manage their symptoms and enhance their quality of life.

One such approach is the use of medication. In this article, we will delve into the role of medication in autism treatment, examining its benefits, considerations, and potential challenges. Now that we understand what autism is, let’s look at a few options listed below.

Medication Options for Autism

There is no one-size-fits-all medication for individuals with autism. The choice of medication depends on the specific symptoms and needs of the individual. Some commonly prescribed medications for autism include:

1. Antipsychotics: such as Risperdal are often used to manage irritability, aggression, and repetitive behaviours commonly associated with autism. They may help reduce tantrums, self-injury, and aggression toward others.

2. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): primarily target anxiety and depression symptoms that can co-occur with autism. SSRIs may help individuals cope better with social situations and reduce repetitive behaviours.

3. Stimulant Medications: in some cases, stimulant medications like methylphenidate like Ritalin, or amphetamines may be prescribed to manage attention and hyperactivity symptoms that often accompany autism. However, their use is generally reserved for individuals with co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Now, let’s look at the benefits of taking these meds.

Benefits of Medication in Autism Treatment

When used judiciously and under the guidance of healthcare professionals, medication can offer several benefits for individuals with autism such as the ones I’ve listed.

1. Behaviour Management: medication can help reduce challenging behaviours, such as aggression, self-injury, and severe tantrums, enabling individuals to participate more effectively in therapy and daily activities.

2. Anxiety and Mood Regulation: many individuals with autism experience anxiety and mood disorders. Medication can alleviate these symptoms, enhancing their ability to engage in social interactions and cope with everyday stressors.

3. Improved Focus and Attention: for individuals with co-occurring ADHD, stimulant medications may help enhance attention, concentration, and impulse control, enabling better participation in academic and social activities. We’ve looked at the pros, right? Now it’s time to look at the cons or rather challenges.

Considerations and Challenges

While medication can be beneficial, it is essential to approach its use with careful consideration so you can be able to see any change or lack of it.

1. Individualized Approach: each person with autism is unique, and medication should be tailored to their specific needs. Regular monitoring and communication with healthcare providers are crucial to assess effectiveness and potential side effects.

2. Side Effects: like any medication, those used for autism treatment can have major side effects. These may include drowsiness, weight gain, gastrointestinal issues, and changes in mood or appetite to name some. Regular monitoring and open communication with healthcare providers can help manage these side effects.

3. Combined Therapies: medication should not be seen as a standalone treatment for autism. It is most effective when combined with other interventions, such as behavioural therapies, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills training.

4. Risk-Benefit Analysis: the decision to use medication should be based on a careful evaluation of the potential benefits and risks, considering the individual’s unique circumstances, severity of symptoms, and impact on daily functioning.

Conclusion:

Medication can play a beneficial role in managing certain symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder. When used appropriately and in conjunction with other therapies, it can enhance an individual’s overall functioning, improve behaviour, and alleviate co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and mood disorders.

However, it is important to approach medication use in autism with caution, considering individual needs, potential side effects, and ongoing monitoring. On the list of the medications I’ve provided, there are two types of medications that my son was given but none of them worked. The first one was the antipsychotic one called Risperdal. This was the first medication my son took for a few years, but I never saw any results.

I often mention that in the place where I am from, autism is still a Chinese language that even our medical experts don’t understand fluently. So, my son took this medication alone with no therapies to assist him because the doctor didn’t tell us. I kept telling him I wasn’t seeing any change in my son’s behaviour but all he did was tell me to up the dosage until we gave him a full syringe of this liquid medicine.

Next, he was given a stimulant medication called Ritalin. He took both of these but there was no change still. Instead, the side effects of both these meds began to be too much and he started behaving really scary — like we were scared of him. His irritability was out of this world, he was wild. I then decided to stop him from taking these meds.

So, what do I think about autism and medication? Should I advise you to try it or not? My answer is this: use your very own discretion. If you have access to therapies that you can conjunct the medication with and you feel you want to try, by all means, do.

I stopped because I didn’t see any results. After all, my son’s case was not treated as unique as it deserves. Remember I mentioned that all autistic individuals are unique, and that treatment should be provided with that in mind, nothing more, nothing less. I am going to say this again, use your own discretion.

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