Benefits of medicines for autistic children and teenagers
Medicines can sometimes help autistic children and teenagers, particularly when they have significant behavioural, emotional or learning challenges that interfere with their:
- health and wellbeing
- ability to learn and progress
- daily life or family life.
For example, doctors might recommend medicines if your autistic child is self-harming or harming others.
Recommended medicines will vary depending on what symptoms children need support with.
Therapies and supports that build on strengths are key to the development of autistic children and teenagers. If you and your child’s GP or paediatrician decide that medicine might also help your child, this will be just one part of the overall approach to supporting your child’s development. You can read more about therapies and supports for autistic children and therapies and supports for autistic teenagers.
Who to talk to about medicines for your autistic child
It’s important to get professional advice about medicines. Professionals like your autistic child’s GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist can help you weigh the benefits of medicines for your child against possible risks.
Questions to ask about medicines for autistic children and teens
- Why do you recommend this medicine?
- What does the medicine do?
- What is the appropriate dose?
- What are the side effects?
When you’re choosing a health professional for your autistic child, look for someone who has experience working with autistic children. It’s also important that you trust the health professional and feel confident that they understand your child’s individual needs.
Behaviour challenges: medicines, benefits and side effects
Aggressive behaviour
Risperidone and aripiprazole can help to reduce aggressive behaviour in autistic children and teenagers. These medicines belong to a group called atypical antipsychotics.
Side effects of atypical antipsychotics include:
- increased appetite and weight gain
- tiredness or drowsiness
- drooling
- increased heart rate
- stiff arms or legs or jerky movements that children can’t control.
Anxiety and obsessive behaviour
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might help to reduce anxiety and obsessive and repetitive behaviour, although more research is needed.
Side effects of SSRIs include:
- hyperactive or impulsive behaviour
- nausea and stomach ache
- sleep difficulties
- concentration problems
- irritability or restlessness
- headaches
- appetite changes.
Teenagers who take SSRIs might experience sexual problems. There’s also a possible link to suicidal thoughts when SSRIs are used to treat major depression. If your child is taking SSRIs, it’s important to pay close attention to their behaviour, emotions and moods.
Hyperactive behaviour
Stimulants like methylphenidate and dexamphetamine are prescribed to help children and teenagers with ADHD. They can also help some autistic children pay attention and behave less impulsively.
The main side effect of these medicines is lower appetite. This can mean that your child might not gain enough weight or might even lose weight.
Other side effects include:
- increased repetitive movements
- stomach ache
- headaches
- increased anxiety
- sleep disturbances
- withdrawal from family and other people
- irritability or emotional ups and downs.
Seizures: medicines, benefits and side effects
Some autistic children and teenagers experience seizures and might be diagnosed with epilepsy.
Seizures can often be treated effectively with anti-epileptic medicine. The best medicine for your child depends on the type of seizures your child has. It also depends on any other health issues your child might have.
Anti-epileptic medicines have various side effects, including:
- sleepiness
- behaviour changes
- nausea and stomach ache.
Sleep problems: medicines, benefits and side effects
Autistic children and teenagers can have characteristic sleep problems including irregular sleeping and waking patterns.
Medicine can help some autistic children and teenagers with these problems. For example, melatonin might help some children fall asleep faster, sleep for longer and wake up fewer times in the night.
Side effects of melatonin include:
- nightmares
- nausea
- headaches.
Tics: medicines, benefits and side effects
Motor tics are common in autistic children and teenagers, and several medicines can help to reduce them. These medicines include:
- atypical antipsychotics like risperidone and aripiprazole
- alpha-agonists like clonidine and guanfacine.
Side effects of antipsychotics and alpha-agonists include:
- weight gain
- increased appetite
- increased heart rate
- drooling
- involuntary tremors
- tiredness or drowsiness
- dry mouth
- constipation
- reduced blood pressure.
Some medicines are ineffective or potentially harmful for autistic children. These include adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH), naltrexone, secretin and chelation therapy.
What to ask when your autistic child is starting a new medicine
Before your child starts a new medicine, discuss with your child’s doctor whether the medicine has been tested with autistic children and teenagers. Also check whether it has been tested with children your child’s age.
Not all medicines work in the same way for all children, so it can take a few tries and visits to the doctor to find a medicine and dose that works for your child.
Often a medicine needs to be taken in a certain way to be effective. Talk to your child’s doctor about how and when your child needs to take it, and whether it should be with or without food.
Medicines are the most common cause of poisoning in young children. To prevent poisoning, store medicines up high in a locked cupboard, safely out of reach and out of sight of your child and other children. The cupboard should be at least 1.5 m high and have child-resistant locks.
How to know whether a medicine is helping your autistic child
Step 1: observe your child’s behaviour or difficulty
Before your child starts the medicine, it’s important to understand what behaviour or difficulty the medicine is supposed to help with. Take a week to write down details like when, how often and how long the behaviour happens, and think about how intense it is. Also pay attention to your child’s sleep habits and appetite.
Step 2: record your observations
If you record these details before your child starts a new medicine, you’ll be able to see whether anything is changing after your child starts the medicine.
Step 3: keep everything else the same when your child starts the medicine
When your child starts taking a medicine, try not to change anything else about their routine or therapy program. If you see any changes, it’ll be easier to tell whether they’ve been caused by the medicine. You could also ask a family member or friend if they notice any differences in your child’s behaviour.
Step 4: watch for changes and discuss these with the doctor
When your autistic child starts taking a new medicine, careful monitoring is essential. Talk to your child’s doctor about any side effects or changes in your child’s behaviour.
Don’t stop a medicine suddenly, even if you think it isn’t helping your child. This is especially important if your child has been taking a medicine for a long time. Always talk to your child’s doctor about stopping a medicine.