Research indicates that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently exhibit dysregulation, which refers to poorly coordinated affective, behavioral, and cognitive responses to a given situation. We examined the characteristics of dysregulation in children presenting to a multidisciplinary ASD clinic for an ASD diagnostic evaluation.…

There are currently no approved pharmacological treatments to improve social reciprocity and limit repetitive and rigid behaviors in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We describe the design of two Phase III studies evaluating the efficacy/safety of bumetanide oral liquid formulation in ASD. These are international, multicenter, randomized,…

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong disorder. In the UK, risperidone is the only psychotropic medication approved for the management of the behavioural symptoms that may accompany autism. This is a population-based study aimed to provide an evaluation of the changing trend in the incidence and prevalence of ASD and to analyse the pattern…

Prior studies have demonstrated successful irritability treatment using dopaminergic antagonists in autistic patients. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effect of dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q) in autistic adults (18-60 years of age). This was a randomized, blinded, crossover, study of 14 patients randomized to DM/Q or a placebo…

A randomized, 13-weeks, placebo-controlled double-blind study in 125 subjects aged 2-17.5 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Smith-Magenis syndrome and insomnia demonstrated efficacy and safety of easily-swallowed prolonged-release melatonin mini-tablets (PedPRM; 2-5 mg) in improving sleep duration and onset. Treatment effects on child…

Anecdotal evidence of successful cannabis treatment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are accumulating but clinical studies are lacking. This retrospective study assessed tolerability and efficacy of cannabidiol-rich cannabis, in 60 children with ASD and severe behavioral problems (age = 11.8 ± 3.5, range 5.0-17.5; 77% low functioning; 83% boys).…

High levels of emotional/behavioural difficulties are frequently reported in children on the autism spectrum. However, given the diversity in profiles, there is a need to explore such behaviours in relation to individual factors. Parents of 130 children aged 4-5 on the autism spectrum completed measures of behaviour and adaptive behaviour.…

Background: Traditional treatment for the behavioural symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unsatisfactory. There is an urgent need for new, biologically relevant therapies that target both the core and comorbid symptoms that children may experience. This article builds on research previously published by the authors. Method: We…

Using a dataset involving 415 individuals with irritability, aggression, agitation and self-injury (IAAS) behaviors from the fragile X syndrome (FXS) FORWARD database, we describe the psychopharmacologic management of IAAS and features of the population of persons with FXS treated with drug therapy for IAAS. Among those with FXS exhibiting IAAS,…

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder are thought to be more vulnerable to oral diseases than typically developing individuals due to cariogenic dietary habits, self-injurious behaviors, and increased barriers to dental care services. This review aimed to summarize current evidence comparing the oral health status of people…

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), particularly the a7 nAChR, are implicated in the pathophysiology of both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and aggressive behavior. We explored the feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of targeting nAChRs using transdermal nicotine to reduce aggressive symptoms in adults with ASD. Eight…

Overweight and obesity have been reported to be more prevalent in populations with autism spectrum disorder than in children with typical development. The aim of this study was to compare the anthropometric status of children with autism spectrum disorder (diagnosed and subclinical) and children with typical development and analyse which variables…

A retrospective chart study of patients on open-label aripiprazole treatment was conducted in the Netherlands to add to the knowledge of aripiprazole in children and young adults with mild and borderline intellectual disabilities (IDs). Fifty-three youths, mean age 14.7 ± 3.4 years and mean IQ 64.5 ±13.8, were included. Treatment responders were…

We examined racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of behavioral problems measured by the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL), sleep disturbances measured by the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and medication use among children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We analyzed data from the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) dataset…

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) is associated with polypharmacy particularly off-label psychotropics for "challenging behaviour." NHS England introduced the "stopping over medication of people with a learning disability (LD), autism or both" (STOMP) initiative. As ID services are a professionally diverse group, it is…